SCROPHULARIACEAE

FIGWORT FAMILY

Lawrence R. Heckard, Family Coordinator

Annual to shrubs, generally glandular, some green root-parasites
Stem generally round
Leaves generally alternate, simple, generally ± entire; stipules generally 0
Inflorescence: spike to panicle, generally bracted, or flowers 1–2 in axils
Flower bisexual; calyx lobes generally 5; corolla generally strongly bilateral, generally 2-lipped (upper lip generally 2-lobed, lower lip generally 3-lobed); stamens generally 4 in 2 pairs, generally included, a 5th (generally uppermost) sometimes present as a staminode; pistil 1, ovary superior, chambers generally 2, placentas axile, style 1, stigma lobes generally 2
Fruit: capsule, generally ± ovoid, loculicidal or septicidal
Seed: coat sculpture often characteristic
Genera in family: ± 200 genera, 3000 species: ± worldwide; some cultivated as ornamental (e.g., Antirrhinum, Mimulus, Penstemon ) or medicinal (Digitalis )
Recent taxonomic note: Recently treated to include only Buddleja, Scrophularia, and Verbascum in CA; other genera moved to Orobanchaceae (Castilleja, Cordylanthus, Orthocarpus, Pedicularis, Triphysaria), Phrymaceae (Mimulus), and Plantaginaceae (= Veronicaceae sensu Olmstead et al.)
Key to genera by Elizabeth Chase Neese & Margriet Wetherwax.

PENSTEMON

BEARDTONGUE

Noel H. Holmgren

Perennial to shrub
Leaves generally opposite, entire to toothed; upper sessile
Inflorescence: panicle or raceme; bracts generally small
Flower: calyx lobes 5, ± equal; corolla tube ± cylindric or lower side expanded, ± 2-lipped, generally pink or blue to purple (some red, yellow, or white), upper lip 2-lobed, external in bud; anther sacs 2, generally spreading ± flat at dehiscence; staminode attached near base of corolla tube, well developed, generally hairy on upper side; nectaries 2, at bases of upper stamens; stigma head-like
Fruit: capsule, septicidal and sometimes also loculicidal at tip
Seeds generally many, irregularly angled
Species in genus: 250 species: North America., especially w US
Etymology: (Latin & Greek: almost thread, from stamen-like staminode)
Reference: [Holmgren 1984 In Cronquist et al. Intermountain Flora 4:370–457]
Largest genus of flowering plants endemic to North America. See also Keckiella , Nothochelone.

Native

P. rattanii A. Gray

Perennial 25–120 cm, ± glabrous
Leaves: main cauline leaves thin, 25–140 mm, narrowly elliptic, slightly narrowed just above rounded to truncate base (where widest), shallowly toothed, ± = basal
Inflorescence glandular
Flower: corolla 20–30 mm, abruptly expanded to throat, generally on upper side, blue-violet, whitish within, glandular outside, floor ± hairy; anther sacs 1.3–1.7 mm, dehiscing full length, valves barely spreading; staminode yellow-hairy
Chromosomes: 2n=16
Ecology: Open places in ± coastal forest
Elevation: < 1200 m.
Bioregional distribution: n North Coast, w Klamath Ranges, n Outer North Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area
Distribution outside California: Oregon

Native

var. kleei (Greene) A. Gray

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS BEARDTONGUE

Flower: calyx 6–7 mm, lobes ovate
Ecology: Redwood, hardwood forests
Elevation: 400–1000 m.
Bioregional distribution: San Francisco Bay Area
Synonyms: subsp. k. (Greene) D.D. Keck
Horticultural information: SHD, DRY: 7, 14 or SUN, IRR: 15, 16, 17; may be DFCLT.