Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.143625
Element CodePDSCR1L0T0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderPlantaginales
FamilyPlantaginaceae
GenusPenstemon
Other Common NamesRed Canyon Penstemon (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-04-16
Change Date2015-12-09
Edition Date2025-04-16
Edition AuthorsRoth, E.(1988), rev. J. Niese, rev. D. Stone (1997), rev. A. Treher (2015), rev. M. McCormick (2023) and N. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactMedium - low
Range Extent1000-5000 square km (about 400-2000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Rank ReasonsPenstemon bracteatus is a perennial forb occurring in gravel, talus slopes, and stone slides of the Tertiary Claron Formation in sparse conifer woodlands of the western United States, where it is endemic to Garfield, Iron, and Kane counties of Utah. There are 19 estimated occurrences of this species, which are threatened by potential collection of plants and seeds from the wild for horticultural use, recreational uses of habitat, and drought. Some occurrences receive protection in Bryce Canyon National Park and in the Red Canyon Research Natural Area of Dixie National Forest. However, plants in the Red Canyon area may also be subject to impacts from increased recreational use (camping, hiking, off-road vehicles).
Range Extent CommentsPenstemon bracteatus occurs in the western United States, where it is endemic to Garfield, Iron, and Kane counties of Utah (Utah Native Plant Society 2025). Specifically, it is found on the Paunsaugunt Plateau (Garfield and Kane Counties), in the western foothills of the Escalante Mountains (Garfield County), and on the western base of the Markagunt Plateau near Parowan (Iron County) (UNHP 2023). Range extent was calculated using data from the Utah Rare Plant Database (2023), excluding historical observations over 40 years old (UNHP 2023).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 2 km separation distance to population location data from the Utah Rare Plant Database (2023), there are 19 estimated occurrences, excluding historical observations over 40 years old (UNHP 2023).
Threat Impact CommentsThreats to Penstemon bracteatus include potential collection of plants and seeds from the wild for horticultural use (Alexander 2016), and recreational uses of habitat (hiking, off-road vehicle use, camping) (UNHP 2023). In Bryce Canyon National Park, this species is vulnerable to inadvertent trampling by off-trail hikers (NPS 2015). Loss of habitat from building roads and logging has also been noted (Utah Division of Natural Resources 2025). Drought may also be impacting this species throughout its range. As of 2025, according to the North American Drought Monitor, Utah is in "severe" to "exceptional" drought in many parts of the state, which is likely impacting this species in similar ways as it is other desert perennial forbs in Utah (Hadwen et al. 2025).