Penstemon (5)
Scree Penstemon Family:
Plantain (Plantaginaceae) Grows in a spreading fashion at high elevations with wedge-shaped, light green leaves and large (1" long), showy purple flowers. Flora of North America reference. |
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Creeping Penstemon Family:
Plantain (Plantaginaceae) Forms low mats to 3" high with short (to ½"), narrow to spatulate, finely hairy leaves and numerous flowers. It spreads by slender, prostrate, creeping stems. Flora of North America reference. |
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Germander Beardtongue Family:
Plantain (Plantaginaceae) Grows to 4", erect or spreading, with 5 to 9 pairs of ash-colored, ½" long, narrow, finely hairy leaves. Flowers grow in whorls along the stems. Very similar to P. caespitosus, differentiated mainly by its ashy appearance. This species is found only in Gunnison County. Flora of North America reference. |
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Crandall's Beardtongue Family:
Plantain (Plantaginaceae) Grows upright, not in mats but can lean, to 8" high. Leaves are narrow, hairless and longer (to 1") than P. caespitosus. The flowers grow on one side of the stem. The sterile stamen, the beardtongue, is bright orange and hairy, the same as the other species on this page. Flora of North America reference. |
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Crandall's Beardtongue Family:
Plantain (Plantaginaceae) Grows in mats, to 3 feet across, less than 2" high. Leaves are ¾" long, glossy and rounded, unlike the similar-looking P. caespitosus. Flowers are dark blue to violet with pale throats and an orange beardtongue. Identified from the American Penstemon Society. Flora of North America reference. |