Penstemon franklinii

Plant Information
Species: 
franklinii
Species Authority: 
S.L. Welsh
Subgenus: 
Penstemon
Section: 
Cristati
Habit:
 
herbaceous perennial
Habit Woodiness:
 
herb
Lifespan: 
long-lived
Plant Height - Min: 
0.60dm
Plant Height - Max: 
2.50dm
Habitat Description: 
Three-lawn, needlegrass, matchweed, and black sagebrush communities.
Distribution Range: 
Cedar Valley, Iron County; endemic.
Soil Type: 
sandy and gravelly
Elevation - Min: 
1650.00m
Elevation - Max: 
1800.00m
Common Name: 
Ben Franklin's Penstemon
Other Notes: 

Penstemon franklinii belongs to Section Cristati, a group of closely allied species. This species has as its nearest ally, both morphologically and geographically, the pinyon penstemon, P. pinorum, a plant from nearby to the south in Iron County. Similar occurrences of nearly associated geographical elements are to be found in P. concinnus Keck, P. nanus Keck, and P. dolius, all of which occur in west desert valleys of Utah. Each of those differ in about the same manner and degree from each other as P. franklinii does from P. pinorum. The species is named after M.A. (Ben) Franklin, co-discoverer of the species and co-collector of the type specimen.

Photos by Andi Wolfe ©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: 
Neese EC. 1987. Penstemon. In A Utah Flora. Ed. Stanley L. Welsh et. al. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press.