Penstemon spectabilis
| Penstemon spectabilis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus: | Penstemon |
| Species: | P. spectabilis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Penstemon spectabilis | |
Penstemon spectabilis is a species of penstemon known by the common name showy penstemon or showy beardtongue. It is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in the chaparral, scrub, and woodlands of the coastal mountain ranges.
Description
Penstemon spectabilis is a perennial herb growing erect to a maximum height often exceeding one meter. The thin leaves are lance-shaped to oval, serrated on the edges, and up to 10 centimeters in length. The oppositely arranged pairs may fuse about the stem at the bases. The inflorescence bears wide-mouthed tubular purple-blue flowers which may be over 3 centimeters long. The throat is lighter in color, lavender to nearly white, and hairless inside.[1] Flowers bloom April to June.[2]
This plant is often a pioneer species in habitat recently disturbed.[1] It is pollinated by wasps such as Pseudomasaris vespoides, as well as by hummingbirds.[3]
Taxonomy
Varieties
- Penstemon spectabilis var. spectabilis
The nominate variety. The inflorescence is glabrous (lacking hair). This variety is distributed across the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains, and the Peninsular Ranges from California to Mexico,[4] reaching its southern distribution at northwest the foothills of the Sierra de San Pedro Martir in Baja California.[5]
- Penstemon spectabilis var. subinteger (D.D. Keck) C.C. Freeman
A variety endemic to Baja California, commonly known as the Peninsular showy beardtongue, found from the vicinity of San Telmo and San Quintin south to the Bahia de Los Angeles.[5]
- Penstemon spectabilis var. subvicosus (D.D. Keck) McMinn
This variety has a glandular inflorescence. Native to the Transverse Ranges of California.[6]
References
- ^ a b "Showy Penstemon, Penstemon spectabilis". calscape.org.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
- ^ Chari, J. and P. Wilson. (2001). Factors limiting hybridization between Penstemon spectabilis and Penstemon centranthifolius. Can J Bot 79:1439-48.
- ^ Wetherwax, Margriet; Holmgren, Noel H. (2012). "Penstemon spectabilis var. spectabilis". Jepson eFlora. Jepson Flora Project. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Rebman, J. P.; Gibson, J.; Rich, K. (2016). "Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Baja California, Mexico" (PDF). San Diego Society of Natural History. 45: 222.
- ^ Wetherwax, Margriet; Holmgren, Noel H. (2012). "Penstemon spectabilis var. subviscosus". Jepson eFlora. Jepson Flora Project. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
External links
Media related to Penstemon spectabilis at Wikimedia Commons
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- Penstemon
- Flora of California
- Flora of Baja California
- Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
- Natural history of the Peninsular Ranges
- Natural history of the Santa Monica Mountains
- Natural history of the Transverse Ranges
- Garden plants of North America
- Drought-tolerant plants
- Bird food plants
- Plantaginaceae stubs