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Plant Profile

Degener's Beardtongue (Penstemon degeneri)

Full view of the plant. Note the long upright stems and opposite leaves. Photo Credit: J. Dawson

Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Plantaginaceae
State: CO
Nature Serve ID: 133684
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 03/08/1989

Description:

Penstemon degeneri is one of the rarest and least-known penstemons in Colorado. It was named after its first known collector, Dr. Otto Degener in recognition of his collections and interest in conservation. (Crosswhite 1965) Since then, it has been reported only two more times (Von Bargen 1997). P. degeneri produces dark blue flowers with golden yellow hairs on only the staminode (a non-functional stamen). These flowers are found on very leafy stems that can grow to one foot or more in height. It is generally found in decomposing granitic soils south of the Arkansas River. (Von Bargen 1997)

Where is Degener's Beardtongue (Penstemon degeneri) located in the wild?

Habitat:

P. degeneri is known from Pinyon-juniper woodlands and montane grasslands; coarse gravelly or rocky reddish soil with igneous bedrock. It can also be found in in cracks of large rock slabs. Elev. ranges from 6000-9500 ft. (Spackman 1997)

Distribution:

Endemic to central Colorado (Fremont and Custer Cos.) in Arkansas River Canyon. (Spackman 1997)

States & Provinces:

Degener's Beardtongue can be found in Colorado

Which CPC Partners conserve Degener's Beardtongue (Penstemon degeneri)?

Denver Botanic Gardens

Not Sponsored

Conservation Actions

Assigned 06/09/17

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

Alexandra Seglias

10/28/2024

A seed collection was made in 2022 and is held at Denver Botanic Gardens

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

A narrow endemic, known from 13 occurrences in and around the Arkansas River Canyon in Colorado. ?This?Penstemon?species faces several threats including recreation in US Forst Service lands, grazing, trampling, herbivory, and non-native plants.

Carol Dawson

01/01/2010

Its inherent rarity makes P. degeneri particularly susceptible to stochastic events.

Carol Dawson

01/01/2010

Eight populations are documented.

Carol Dawson

01/01/2010

Germination protocols have been established.

Carol Dawson

01/01/2010

There is no centralized management plan.

Carol Dawson

01/01/2010

Research needs include understanding aspects of this species reproductive biology and ecology, mutualistic relationships and population dynamics. Further surveys are needed to determine its distribution and abundance.

Carol Dawson

01/01/2010

Additional seed collection for long-term seed-storage.