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. centranthifolius (Benth.) Benth.

SCARLET BUGLER

Perennial 30–120 cm, glabrous, glaucous
Leaves thick; middle cauline generally largest, 40–100 mm, lanceolate to ovate, cordate-clasping, entire
Flower: calyx 3.5–6.5 mm, lobes ovate to ± round; corolla 20–30 mm, cylindric, lobes projecting, not spreading, bright red, glabrous (including floor); anther sacs 0.8–1.2 mm, spreading flat; staminode glabrous
Chromosomes: 2n=16
Ecology: Dry, open or wooded places, generally in chaparral or oak woodland
Elevation: < 1800 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast Ranges, n Sierra Nevada Foothills, Great Central Valley (margins), Central Western California, Southwestern California, sw edge Mojave Desert
Distribution outside California: Mexico
Flowering time: Apr–Jun
Common hybrids with P. spectabilis have been called P. X parishii
Horticultural information: SUN, DRY, DRN: 7, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23; may be DFCLT.