BLM

Wyoming’s

Threatened and Endangered Species

Blowout Penstemon

Bureau of Land management Bl o w o u t Pe n s t e m o n De s C r i P t i o n each containing twenty to thirty seeds. Ha B i t a t By the end of the summer when the In , blowout penstemon is One of Wyoming’s rarest native , Blowout penstemon is one of seeds have matured, the capsules split found in sparsely vegetated sandy blowout penstemon (Penstemon 41 Wyoming penstemon species open and release the seeds into the blowouts in the early stages of plant haydenii), only recently earned its which are characterized by tubular, wind. Buried seeds remain viable and community development composed rightful recognition. This striking two-lipped flowers and a fifth, will only germinate after an ideally of blowout grass (Redfieldia flexuosa), perennial herb was first sterile stamen that is often cool, moist spring. Once a plant lemon scurf-pea (Psoralidium discovered in Wyoming covered in yellow hairs. germinates, it can live for several lanceolatum), and thickspike in 1877 by botanist and This unique feature gives years, but may not f l o w e r wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus) or e x p l o r e r F e r d i n a n d the Penstemon each year. Hayden while exploring its alternative common Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum prominent sand dunes name: ‘beardtongue.’ hymenoides). Shifting sand between Casper and The blue or purple dunes are prevented from Rawlins. Not until 1996, pale flowers of becoming fully stabilized when a U.S. Bureau of Land blowout penstemon and overgrown because of Management (BLM) botanist are 1 to 1½ inch long, wind and gravity. The dunes stumbled upon a supposedly arranged in clusters may be 60 to 120 feet high unknown species, was the blowout around a tall flowering stem and on typically steep slopes at penstemon rediscovered as a verified produce a faint, vanilla-like scent. elevationsbetween5800and member of Wyoming’s flora. 7500 feet. The absence of When not in flower, blowout blowout penstemon from Blowout penstemon was first penstemon may be confused with other active blowouts discovered in , where it was other penstemons, particularly The Wyoming BLM is with the Wyoming Natural Diversity and gently undulating known in large numbers through 1914. those in sandy habitats. Large- developing a blowout penstemon Database (WYNDD) and the Rocky sand dune fields found By the 1940s, they had decreased flower penstemon(Penstemon conservation strategy in coordination Mountain Herbarium at the University in central and eastern dramatically. Numbers of the plant grandiflorus) is found in the with local, state, and federal agencies, of Wyoming to survey, monitor, and Wyoming is likely due were so low that the next observed northeast corner of the state as well as private landowners, to research native plant species in order to a lack of soil moisture blowout penstemon was not reported and has slightly larger, non­ apply federal statutes and agency to maintain Wyoming’s native plants during the growing season there until 1959. The species was aromatic flowers. Narrowleaf policy in a way that addresses the and their habitats. and the stage in development designated as endangered under the penstemon (P. angustifolius)— conservation needs of this plant. The of local plant communities. R e p e a t e d m o n i t o r i n g Endangered Species Act of 1973 by found throughout much of eastern goal is to foster long term viability of Wyoming blowout penstemon the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wyoming—has smaller flowers. Co n s e r v a t i o n of the blowout penstemon and avert populations during dry years (2003-06) September 1, 1987. potential threats that include oil, gas, The Endangered Species Act suggests that this plant can survive li f e Hi s t o r y powerline, and water development, Because of its rarity and federal defines anendangered species as drought. While the plant’s habitat sand mining, off-road vehicle use, endangered status, Wyoming botanists Blowout penstemon is a pioneer one in danger of becoming extinct is continuously being eroded by live-stock grazing, wind farms and have been researching the distribution, species, one of the first plants to throughout all or a significant wind or buried by shifting sand, new plant collection. abundance, and trends of blowout establish itself, on sand dunes portion of its range. Federal habitat is developing. Additionally, penstemon statewide. Today, several and sandy aprons at the base law prohibits the removal or The BLM recognizes that both long-lived seeds may provide an thousand individual plants make up of mountains and ridges. In destruction of endangered plants plant conservation and protection important buffer from the uncertainties the three Wyoming populations in Wyoming it blooms in June and on any federal land or as a result are essential to sustain ecological, of unstable habitat and unsuitable the northeastern corner of the Great awaits pollination by insects: of federal actions. As a federally economic, and aesthetic values of our climatic conditions. Research and Divide Basin in Carbon County, near twenty-six species of solitary bees listed endangered species, blowout public lands. The BLM, in partnership monitoring are filling in the status the Ferris and Seminoe Mountains (see and one bee-like wasp visit this plant penstemon receives this statutory with local, state, and federal agencies, picture necessary to ensure the long- map). in Wyoming, seeking both nectar and protection and protection under BLM works to achieve its multiple-use term viability of blowout penstemon pollen rewards. Once pollinated, the Blowout penstemon illustration by Special Status Species management mandate of public land management. populations in Wyoming. Blowout penstemon photographs by Bellamy Parks Jansen. Bonnie Heidel flowers ripen into capsule-like fruits, Reprinted with permission of Jim Stubbendieck policy. For two decades, the BLM has worked Suggested Reading Citation: Fertig, W. 1999. Blowout penstemon, Wyoming’s B. Heidel, W. Fertig, F. Blomquist, and T. first Endangered plant. Castilleja 18(3): 4. Abbott. 2007. Wyoming’s Threatened and Fritz, m., J. stubbendieck, and W. Jobman. 1992 Endangered Species: Blowout Penstemon. Blowout penstemon (Penstemon haydenii s. Wats.) Wyoming Bureau of Land management, recovery plan.U.s. Fish and Wildlife service, Denver. Cheyenne, Wy. in collaboration with Wyoming natural Diversity Database. Heidel, B. 2005a. survey of Penstemon haydenii (blowout penstemon) in Wyoming. Prepared for the Bureau of Land management. Wyoming natural Diversity Database, Laramie, Wy. note: new data on the biology and status of Heidel, B. 2005b. Child of the wind. Wyoming Wildlife 69: 8-11. this species are being collected constantly, and stubbendieck, J., J.A. Lamphere and J.B. parts of the information in this publication may Fitzgerald. 1997. nebraska’s Threatened and become outdated. The fact sheet provides a Endangered Species: Blowout Penstemon. Nebraska general overview of the status of this species in game and Parks Commission brochure, published Wyoming and is not intended as the sole source with support of nebraska Dept. of Agriculture. Lincoln, NE. of species information for planning and research purposes. For additional information on this or other threatened and endangered species, or for additional copies of the publication, refer to the suggested readings or contact the botany contacts of the Bureau of Land management in Wyoming, U.s. Fish and Wildlife service in Wyoming, and the Wyoming natural Diversity Database.

This Blowout Penstemon fact sheet is one in a series on Wyoming’s Threatened and Endangered Plant species published by Bureau of Land management and the Wyoming natural Diversity Database.

For more information contact: Bureau of Land Management (307) 775-6256 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (307) 772-2374 Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (307) 766-3020.

BLM/WY/GI-08/020+1150