Species: P. personatus Keck, close-throated
beardtongue. A RARE perennial with few basal leaves forming sparse rosette .5 cm
(1/2”) in height. see www.USDA/plants
Stems: Cauline stems sparsely-branched to 60 cm (24”) tall
Leaves: Lower-most small, 25-90 mm
(1-3.5”) at base of stems, becoming larger 4-5cm X 3 cm (1 ½ x 1”), UC Davis
photos, thin, ovate, sub-entire (tiny notches).
Inflorescence: glandular
(sticky)
Calyx: 5-6 mm (<1/4”) widely
lanceolate
Corolla: 20-25 mm (3/8”), blue-purple, glabrous to
glandular outside, densely hairy inside, arched floor raises to close throat of
corolla, lower lip protruding.
Anther Sacs: 1.2-1.4 mm (<1/8”), opening full
length, valves (sides) barely spreading.
Staminode: 4 mm (1/6”) dense yellow beard,
included in corolla, tip entire
Blooming: July
Habitat: yellow pine, montane forests, 1500-18 m,
(4-6000’)
Range:
SUBGENUS DISSECTI: has a single species
Species: P. dissectus Elliott, dissected beardtongue, RARE; only species with fern-like leaf, photos in Davesgarden.com
Stems: sparsely branched with cymes (floral groups) 3-10 cm (1-4”) long, 2-4 flowered
Leaves: upper leaves deeply, often doubly, dissected
cleft almost to the center, 60 mm (2 ¼”) long, by 30 mm (1”) wide, opposite,
appearing as whorls 2-3” apart on stem.
Lobes 1-2 mm wide, green.
Lower leaves obovate, entire or with a few lobes to 30 mm x 5 mm (1 x
¼”), bracts (reduced leaves) entire.
Inflorescence: 60 cm (2’) tall with bracts at base of each cyme.
Calyx: 4-5mm (<1/4”) long ovate with pointed tip
Corolla: 25-30 mm (1”) long, fuzzy on outside, pale lavender with white throat and purple guidelines, expanded abruptly, lower lobes slightly longer than upper, attractive.
Anther Sacs: 1.2-1.4 mm (<1/8”) long, brownish, open partway from inner end, outer ends remain pouch-like.
Staminode: white with white beard at tip, which is entire and exherted.
Blooming: April to May
Habitat: stream banks on east side of Appalachian Mtns.
Range: 12 scattered counties in