Interested in the identification of penstemons? Please select a species then click on submit:
| Attribute | The current selection is Penstemon_cyaneus |
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| Classification | Penstemon
Habroanthus Glabri |
| General | Cyan or Dark Blue Penstemon
Cyaneus refers to the dark blue color giving this gorgeous penstemon its common name. It resembles P. cyananthus var. cyananthus, differing mainly in its twisted, S-shaped anthers, which are generally longer. It is also found further west in Idaho.
Blooms: Late May to early August. |
| Anther | 1.8-3 mm long, modestly to minutely fuzzy with short stiff hairs, the sacs opening 4/5 their length almost across the connective, spreading apart at an angle (not directly opposite, distinctly twisted so the anthers are S-shaped, minutely toothed on openi |
| Staminode | Bearded with short, yellow hairs, expanded at the tip and included. |
| Leaves | Basal leaves 16 cm (6”) long form a basal rosette on narrow stems, elliptic to oblanceolate; cauline leaves reduced, 3-11 cm (1-4+”) long, lance-shaped, stemless or clasping the stem. |
| Stems | 3-7 dm (12-28”) high with usually several, stout stems from a woody, branching root crown, glabrous and sometimes glaucous (bluish-leaved). |
| Inflorescense | Glabrous, more or less one-sided, narrow, of 3-10 short-stemmed verticillasters, distinctly spaced or quite crowded, the cymes 2- to 6-flowers. |
| Corolla | Large, 24-35 mm (1-1 2/5”) long, dark blue to violet on the tube, usually light-colored or white within, expanded to about 1 cm wide at the mouth, somewhat bellied beneath. |
| Flower Color | |
| Calyx | 4-7 mm (<1/2”) long, the sepals broad, tapered to acute tips or nearly round, smooth, thin and ragged on edges. |
| Habitat | open plains, often sagebrush into the lower mountains, 1500-2400 m (4500-7500’). |
| Range | Upper Snake River Plain of s ID, Salmon R of c ID to sw MT and nw WY (Teton and Yellowstone NP). |
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