Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii)

Abstract

Firecracker penstemon is native to northern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, southern California, east central and southern Nevada, central and southern Utah, and southwestern Colorado (Munz and Keck 1973; Hitchcock and Cronquist 2018). It occurs in all North American deserts except the Chihuahuan and in the Colorado Plateau, Wasatch Mountains, Utah Canyonlands, San Bernardino Mountains, and Arizona mountains and sky islands (Cronquist et al. 1984; Taylor 1992; Taylor 1998; Xerces Society & USDA NRCS 2012). It has become naturalized in some areas outside its natural range through its use in revegetation along highways and other seedings (Strickler 1997; Way and James 1998). Subspecies eatonii occurs throughout the distribution of the species but is most common in the northern part of this range (Cronquist et al. 1984; Hickman 1993; USDA NRCS 2022). Subspecies undosus occurs across much of the species’ range but is more common in southern Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California (Munz and Keck 1973; Cronquist et al. 1984; Hickman 1993; USDA NRCS 2022). Subspecies exsertus is limited to central Arizona (Cronquist et al. 1984; Strickler 1997; USDA NRCS 2022).

Parent Publication

• Western forbs: Biology, ecology, and use in restoration - Project Overview and Acknowledgements

Citation

Gucker, Corey L.; Shaw, Nancy L. 2022. Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii). In: Gucker, C.L.; Shaw, N.L., eds. Western forbs: Biology, ecology, and use in restoration. Reno, NV: Great Basin Fire Science Exchange. Online: https://westernforbs.org/species/firecracker-penstemon-penstemon-eatonii/.