Home/Species/ Absaroka Beardtongue

Penstemon absarokensis

Evert

Absaroka Beardtongue

G4Apparently Secure Found in 2 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →

G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank

LowThreat Impact

Identity

Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.133228

Element CodePDSCR1L730

Record TypeSPECIES

ClassificationSpecies

Classification StatusStandard

Name CategoryVascular Plant

Endemicendemic to a single state or province

KingdomPlantae

PhylumAnthophyta

ClassDicotyledoneae

OrderPlantaginales

FamilyPlantaginaceae

GenusPenstemon

Concept Reference

Kartesz, 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 Date2024-06-19

Change Date2024-06-19

Edition Date2024-06-19

Edition AuthorsNeighbours, M.L. (rev. W. Fertig/K. Maybury 6/96); B. Heidel (2012-11-01) and L. Oliver; rev. B. Heidel and Soteropoulos (2024)

Threat ImpactLow

Range Extent1000-5000 square km (about 400-2000 square miles)

Number of Occurrences21 - 80

Rank Reasons

Penstemon absarokensis is a perennial herb of shifting volcanic scree and talus endemic to the Absaroka Mountains of northwestern Wyoming in the western United States. There are approximately 30 documented occurrences with an estimated population size of 8,000-15,000 individuals. Most of the populations are small in number of individuals and in area occupied. Threats are low given the rugged habitat where it occurs, though localized populations along trails may face threats from recreational activities and invasive species. Research is needed to identify the types of habitat disturbances it requires, its reproductive method, genetic variation and pollination requirements.

Range Extent Comments

Penstemon absarokensis is endemic to the Absaroka Range of Park County in northwestern Wyoming in northwestern United States. An isolated population from the northeast Wind River Range in Fremont County may represent a different, undescribed taxon according to Dorn (1989). Range extent was estimated to be approximately 900 square miles (Heidel, pers. comm., 2024).

Occurrences Comments

This species is known from approximately 30 extant occurrences (Heidel, pers. comm., 2024).

Threat Impact Comments

Most populations are not threatened due to the ruggedness of their habitat. Populations near trails may be impacted by recreational activities and competition from weeds in localized areas (Heidel, pers. comm., 2024). It remains to be determined whether this species can persist in trampled sites and can colonize disturbed areas.

Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Penstemon absarokensis grows on open, dry, shifting scree and talus on volcanic slopes and rarely on alluvian and gravels along streams or rivers (Evert 1984, FNA 2019).

Terrestrial Habitats

Bare rock/talus/scree

Palustrine Habitats

HERBACEOUS WETLANDRiparian

Other Nations (1)

United StatesN4

Province	Rank	Native
Wyoming	S3	Yes

Threat Assessments

Threat	Scope	Severity	Timing
6 - Human intrusions & disturbance	Large (31-70%)	Slight or 1-10% pop. decline	High (continuing)
6.1 - Recreational activities	Large (31-70%)	Slight or 1-10% pop. decline	High (continuing)
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Small (1-10%)	Slight or 1-10% pop. decline	High (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Small (1-10%)	Slight or 1-10% pop. decline	High (continuing)
8.1.1 - Unspecified species	Small (1-10%)	Slight or 1-10% pop. decline	High (continuing)

Plant Characteristics

DurationPERENNIAL

Economic Value (Genus)No

Roadless Areas (2)

Wyoming (2)

Area	Forest	Acres
Wapiti Valley North	Shoshone National Forest	18,345
Wapiti Valley South	Shoshone National Forest	43,517

References (7)

Beatty, B.L., W.F. Jennings, and R.C. Rawlinson. 2003a. (December 29). <i>Penstemon absarokensis </i>Evert (Absaroka Range beardtongue): a technical conservation assessment. [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/penstemonabsarokensis.pdf [November 7, 2012].
Dorn, R.D. 1989. Report on the status of Penstemon absarokensis, a candidate Threatened species. Unpublished report prepared for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 12 pp. + appendices.
Evert, E.F. 1984. Penstemon absarokensis, a new species of Scrophulariaceae from Wyoming. Madrono 31(3): 140-143.
Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2019. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 17: Magnoliophyta: Tetrachondraceae to Orobanchaceae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiv + 737 pp.
Heidel, Bonnie. Personal Communication. Lead Botanist. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database. University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Kartesz, 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.
Mills, S., and W. Fertig. 1996. Field guide to rare and sensitive plants of the Shoshone National Forest. Unpublished report prepared by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Laramie, WY. No pagination.

Penstemon absarokensis

Habitat

—