Penstemon brevisepalus, commonly known as short-sepaled beardtongue,[1] is an herbaceous plant in the plantain family. It is a perennial that produces pale lavender flowers in late spring.
| Penstemon brevisepalus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus: | Penstemon |
| Species: | P. brevisepalus
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| Binomial name | |
| Penstemon brevisepalus | |
It is native to the eastern United States, where it is restricted to the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Its natural habitat is acidic woodlands, prairies, and rock outcrops (typically sandstone or shale).[2]
Description
editPenstemon brevisepalus has stems that grow outwards a short distance and then curve upwards or that grow straight upwards to heights between 22 and 60 centimeters. They may be either covered in backwards facing hairs that are glandular or glandular and villous, covered in long hairs. They are never hairless. Plants have both cauline and basal leaves, ones that attach to the stems and ones that grow directly from the base of the plant. Though sometimes the basal leaves will have faded by the time the plant flowers. They are covered in sparse to dense hairs on their undersides while only being sparsely hairy to hairless on their upper sides. The basal leaves and lowest ones on the stems are 2 to 9.5 cm long and 1.1 to 2.8 cm wide. Their shape is ovate to lanceolate or oblanceolate with a tapering base.[3]
Penstemon brevisepalus has an inflorescence that is 4 to 20 centimeters tall with three to eight groups of flowers. These flowers are funnel shaped and 1.5–2.4 cm long. They are pale lavender to purple in color with dark reddish purple nectar guides and are produced in May or June.[3]
Taxonomy
editThis species was scientifically described in 1933 by botanist Francis W. Pennell.[4] In 1963 Robert H. Mohlenbrock and William Wallace published a short paper arguing for its inclusion in Penstemon pallidus.[5] It was subsequently included under Penstemon canescens or Penstemon pallidus in later 20th century treatments.[2] However, it is now listed as accepted by Plants of the World Online.[4]
Names
editPenstemon brevisepalus is known by the common name short-sepaled beardtongue.[6]
Range and habitat
editIt grow in southwestern Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. It grows in relatively dry, rocky Oak–hickory forests and also at the edges of woodlands. It may also be found growing in roadcuts and along bluffs. They are found at elevations over 200 meters up to 700 m.[3]
Conservation
editThe conservation group NatureServe has not evaluated Penstemon brevisepalus.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States by Alan Weakley, 2015
- ^ a b Chester, Edward (2015). Guide to the Vascular Plants of Tennessee.
- ^ a b c Freeman, Craig C. (29 July 2020) [2019]. "Penstemon brevisepalus". Flora of North America. p. 196. ISBN 978-0190868512. OCLC 1101573420. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Penstemon brevisepalus Pennell". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ Mohlenbrock, Robert H.; Wallace, William. "The Taxonomic Status of Penstemon brevisepalus Pennell". Castanea. 28 (1). Southern Appalachian Botanical Society: 42–44. ISSN 0008-7475. JSTOR 4032208.
- ^ "Penstemon brevisepalus (Short-sepaled Beardtongue)". Flora of the Southeastern United States. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ NatureServe (2024). "Penstemon brevisepalus". Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 1 November 2024.