Status: Native
Synonyms:
None
Penstemon ambiguus is generally found growing in dry lower elevation plains, but can also be found among rocks on middle elevation slopes. It is perennial and gives the appearance of a small woody shrub more than the usual appearance of a penstemon. The flowers are slightly irregular with white corolla lobes and a pinkish throat. The upper corolla lobes are folded back at an angle such that they appear to be almost in the same plane as the tube rather than ninety degrees to it. Penstemon ambiguus is highly branched from the base, and the leaves are glabrous and linear. The fruit, as with other Penstemons, is a septicidal capsule. The seeds are small and sharply angled.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Penstemon ambiguus, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, July 11, 2007
Penstemon ambiguus, detail of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, July 11, 2007
Penstemon ambiguus, 2x macro of capsule, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, Jan. 25, 2009
Penstemon ambiguus, 3x macro of seeds, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, Jan. 25, 2009
Back to the Index