Idaho Penstemon
Penstemon idahoensis
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Penstemon idahoensis is found in the Goose Creek Mountains in Box Elder County, Utah and in southern Idaho and northwestern Nevada. It grows in white tuffaceous out crops among sagebrush and scattered juniper at 5000 to 5200 feet elevation. Penstemon idahoensis, commonly named Idaho Penstemon, flowers late June to July and has a blue to blue-purple corolla.
Description
Penstemon idahoensis is a perennial herb that grows 8-20 cm tall. The stems are from a caudex and glandular. The leaves are entire, glandular, bear adherent soil particles, margins entire, thickened and revolute. The basal and lower cauline leaves
Phenology
Flowers late June-July.
Diagnostic characteristics
Penstemon idahoensis is similar to P. scariosus. In contrast to P. scariosus, P. idahoensis is glandular-puberulent throughout and covered in adhering sand grains, has glabrous staminodes, thickened leaf margins, and inconspicuously scarious-margined calyces.
Species range
Occurs in southern Idaho and across the border into northeastern Utah and northwestern Nevada.
Map
Threats or limiting factors
Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) is found at many sites but is being controlled, mostly by herbicides. Grazing occurs near many sites, but the impact from the animals is unknown. Drought is also likely impacting this species.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies