Scrophulariaceae

Penstemon roezlii

Purple Penstemon

Ascending from woody base, many wispy stems carrying numerous short flowers. Leaves on stems 1/2–2 1/2 in. long, linear, folded lengthwise to show back of leaf. Inflorescence somewhat sticky. Flowers sky blue to purplish blue, 1/2–3/4 in. long; tube hairless inside; staminode hairless. Grows in dry scrub, sagebrush, conifer forests, at mid to high elevations. Can be confused with P. speciosus, which has flowers mostly on one side of stem, rarely glandular inflorescence. Closely related P. laetus, which prefers lightly shaded shrubby areas within conifer forests, has leaves 1–3 in., narrow, entire, hairless; flowers 3/4–1 1/4 in., violet-blue to red-purple, hairless on outside, inner edges long-haired; staminode hairless.

• Rarity: Locally Common
• Flowering Time: Late Spring-Mid Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 6--24 inches
• Habitat: East-Side Forest, Shrub-Steppe
• Found In: Siskiyous, Sierra Nevada
• Native: Yes