Roezl's Penstemon; Penstemon roezlii (Synonyms: Penstemon laetus ssp. roezlii, Penstemon laetus var. roezlii)

Roezl's beardtongue as observed on dry scablands along Forest Road 3915 about one-half mile north of Willow Creek, Fremont-Winema National Forest........June 30, 2019.

Roezl's penstemon as seen along Forest Road #3615 in the North Warner Mountains, Fremont National Forest..........June 12, 2016.

Roezl's penstemon as seen right along Highway 140 between Lakeview and Adel (just east of the Fremont N.F. boundary)..........June 30, 1997.

Roezl's Penstemon; Penstemon roezlii (Synonyms: Penstemon laetus ssp. roezlii, Penstemon laetus var. roezlii)

Roezl's penstemon is a moderate-sized, several stemmed wildflower. Its flowering stems are often up to 50 cm tall. It is slender in appearance, and often is found sprawling near the ground. The leaves are primarily found on the stems, although some sterile, leafy shoots may be found at the base. The leaves are linear to oblanceolate in shape, tapering to a point. The leaves are entire, and often folded at the midrib on the upper leaves. The upper leaves are sessile and somewhat clasping. Leaf length is from 2 to 7 cm. The stems may be green or purplish in color, and hairy below to glandular above.

The inflorescence is a raceme-panicle. The corolla is a bright blue to blue-violet or even purple with a lighter throat. The corollas are 1.4 cm to 2.2 cm in length. The corolla is definitely two-lipped, the lips moderately spreading. The corolla is glandular outside, smooth inside. The anthers are horseshoe-shaped. The plant is similar to Cheerful Penstemon, P. laetus var. sagitattus, but the flowers are smaller, and the anthers of a different shape.

Roezl's penstemon is found in dry, rocky or gravelly slopes and flats. It is often found associated with sagebrush, juniper, and ponderosa pine.

Roezl's penstemon is found from the central Oregon's Wheeler County south through eastern Lake County, westward towards southwestern Oregon, and south into northern California.

Roezl's penstemon blooming on scablands along Forest Road 58 opposite the Sugar Creek Campground, Ochoco National Forest.......June 17, 2019.

What may be Roezl's penstemon as seen along the Flatiron Trail, Badlands Wilderness......May 12, 2018. I'd want to see t he plant in bloom to verify the identity as there's a slight possibility this could be Penstemon speciosus.

Roezl's penstemon as seen along Highway 140 between Lakeview and Adel (just east of the Fremont N.F. boundary)..........June 30, 1997.