Penstemon spectabilis Thurber var. spectabilis   Scrophulariaceae   Figwort Family   Native   Royal Penstemon

                                                            April Photo

Plant Characteristics: Perennial 80-120 cm. tall, glabrous, green; lvs. +/- thin, upper cauline 35-100 mm., lanceolate to widely ovate, pairs fused at base, generally folded lengthwise and recurved at tip, +/- serrate; calyx 3.5-6.3 mm., lobes ovate to +/- round; corolla 24-34 mm. blue (-purple), throat 8-14 mm., wide when pressed, pale violet to lavender, whitish within, glandular outside and on throat roof, floor gen. glabrous; anther sacs 1.8-2.4 mm., dehiscing full length but barely spreading; staminode incl., glabrous.

Habitat: Locally, an introduced plant. In nature, this species grows at 100-1100m in the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains and the Transverse Ranges. Blooms April-June.

Name: Greek, pente, five and stemon, stamen. (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 819). Latin & Greek, almost thread, from the stamen-like staminode. (Hickman, Ed. 1050). Latin, spectabil, visible, remarkable. (Jaeger 243).

General: Several one gallon plants were planted in the late spring of 2002 on the westerly mesa, near where Santa Isabel St. dead ends into Irvine Ave. For the first year or two the plants were watered during the summer, then were left on their own. A few have survived. (my comments). It is doubtful whether these plants will live for a long time or multiply as the upper bay is not their normal habitat. (my further comments). Over 250 species in North America, especially the western United States. (Hickman, Ed. 1050).

Text Ref: Munz, Flora So. Calif. 825; Hickman, Ed. 1060.

Photo Ref: March-April 05 #17A, 18A, 19A, 20A.

Identity: Confirmed by R. De Ruff.

First Found: Spring 2002.

Have plant specimen.

Computer Ref: Plant Data 561.

Last edit: 6/27/06

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