Penstemon multiflorus

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Penstemon multiflorus
Pens mult.jpg
Photo by Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Order: Scrophulariales
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Penstemon
Species: P. multiflorus
Binomial name
Penstemon multiflorus
Chapm. ex Benth.
PENS MULT dist.jpg
Natural range of Penstemon multiflorus from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common name: manyflower beardtongue

Taxonomic notes

Synonyms: none[1]

Varieties: none[1]

Description

Penstemon multiflorus has cauline leaves with basal leaves that are petioled. The inflorescence of many nodes with anther cells dehiscing by short proximal slits.

The root system of Penstemon multiflorus includes root tubers which store non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) important for both resprouting following fire and persisting during long periods of fire exclusion.[2]. Diaz-Toribio and Putz (2021) recorded this species to have an NSC concentration of 109.5 mg/g (ranking 49 out of 100 species studied) and water content of 57.9% (ranking 37 out of 100 species studied).[2]

Distribution

This plant ranges from south-central Florida and southern Alabama, south to southern Florida.[1]

Ecology

Habitat

P. multiflorus occurs in sandy or loamy soil, preferring areas with high light levels.[3] It can be found in oak-pine-palmetto flatwoods, cabbage palm hammocks, and open stands of longleaf pine and scrub oak.[3] It can also occur in disturbed areas, including slash pine plantations, firebreaks, and roadsides.[3] Associated species include sand oak, live oak, saw palmetto, longleaf pine, scrub oak, and slash pine.[3]

Phenology

P. multiflorus has been observed flowering from May to August and fruiting have been observed in July and August.[3][4]

Fire ecology

This species has been found in habitat that is maintained by fire.[3]

Conservation, cultivation, and restoration

Cultural use

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Weakley, A.S. 2020. Flora of the Southeastern United States. Edition of 20 October 2020. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Diaz-Toribio, M.H. and F. E. Putz 2021. Underground carbohydrate stores and storage organs in fire-maintained longleaf pine savannas in Florida, USA. American Journal of Botany 108: 432-442.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2014. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, Rodie White, R. A. Norris, Robert K. Godfrey, M. Davis, and Cecil R Slaughter. States and Counties: Florida: Calhoun, Columbia, Gadsden, Leon, Osceola, and Wakulla. Georgia: Grady.
  4. Nelson, G. PanFlora: Plant data for the eastern United States with emphasis on the Southeastern Coastal Plains, Florida, and the Florida Panhandle. www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ Accessed: 12 DEC 2016