Penstemon ammophilus

Plant Information
Species: 
ammophilus
Species Authority: 
N.H. Holmgren & L.M. Shultz
Subgenus: 
Habroanthus
Section: 
Glabri
Habit:
 
robust herb
Habit Woodiness:
 
herbaceous
Lifespan: 
long-lived
Plant Height - Min: 
0.50dm
Plant Height - Max: 
1.50dm
Habitat Description: 
Sand-dunes with Wyethia scabra; In blowing sand derived from the Navajo Sandstone, where the long-lived clumps act as sand stabilizers, in ponderosa pine and mixed shrub communities.
Distribution Range: 
Canaan Mt., Washington Co., Utah. Garfield, Kane, and Washington (type from Canaan Mts.) counties.
Soil Type: 
Deep sands and mixed soils.
Elevation - Min: 
1800.00m
Elevation - Max: 
2200.00m
Other Notes: 

Penstemon ammophilus is unusual in having inflated stems. The leaves and stems have glands that leave a sticky exudate on the surface, enabling sand particles to stick to them. The sand-encrusted surface acts like armor plating, which probably protects the plant from sand blasting during high winds. (Andi Wolfe observations.)

Photos by Andi Wolfe ©2014-2015 - If you would like to use any of these photos, contact Andi Wolfe at Ohio State University.

First Bloom: 
June
Last Bloom: 
June
References: 

Holmgren NH. 1984. Penstemon and Keckiella. In Intermountain Flora, vol. 4. Ed. Arthur Cronquist et al. Bronx: The New York Botanical Garden.