Penstemon calcareus is a species of penstemon known by the common name limestone beardtongue. It is native to California, where it is known from the deserts of central San Bernardino County, as well as the Death Valley area, where its distribution extends just over the border into Nevada. It grows in scrub and woodland, often on limestone substrates.
| Penstemon calcareus | |
|---|---|
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| Blooming in Death Valley National Park | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus: | Penstemon |
| Species: | P. calcareus
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| Binomial name | |
| Penstemon calcareus | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
editPenstemon calcareus has stems that grow to between 5 and 35 centimeters tall that grow directly upward from the base of the plant or grow outwards as short distance and then curving to grow upwards.[3] They are herbaceous and covered in fine, backwards pointing hairs that give the stems a gray appearance like being covered in dust. The tops of the stems are densely covered in glands.[4] The plant grows perennially from a woody caudex at ground level.[3]
It has both cauline and basal leaves, ones attached to the stems and those that grow directly from the base of the plant, that are somewhat leathery and have the same backwards pointing hairs as the stems. The basal leaves and the lower cauline leaves are attached to the plant by petioles and measure 1.5 to 5.5 centimeters long and 0.6 to 2.5 cm wide. Their shape may be elliptic to broadly ovate with a tapered base and either faint serrations or a smooth edge.[3]
The inflorescence produces bright pink to purplish tubular or funnel-shaped flowers between 1 and 2 centimeters long. The flower has a glandular outer surface and a staminode coated with yellow hairs.
Taxonomy
editPenstemon calcareus was scientifically described in 1903 by Townshend Stith Brandegee. It has one synonym, Penstemon desertorum.[2]
References
edit- ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0".
- ^ a b "Penstemon calcareus Brandegee". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Freeman, Craig C. (29 July 2020) [2019]. "Penstemon calcareus". Flora of North America. p. 131. ISBN 978-0190868512. OCLC 1101573420. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Wetherwax, Margriet; Holmgren, Noel H. (2012). "Penstemon calcareus". Jepson eFlora. University of California, Berkley. Archived from the original on 2 July 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
External links
edit- Jepson Manual treatment
- Penstemon calcareus in the CalPhotos photo database, University of California, Berkeley
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