Description: Herbaceous perennial with woody rootstock, 5 - 20 cm
(2 - 7.9 in.) high. Stems branched, spreading upwards. Leaves opposite, entire, oblanceolate, upper ones sessile. Inflorescence a raceme (flowers on single stems). Flowers glandular, sepals 5, fused; petals light blue to violet, 1.8 - 2.3 cm (0.7 - 0.9 in.) long; staminode (non-functional stamen) strongly white bearded. Fruit a capsule, 7 - 11 mm (to 0.4 in.) long. Time of flowering: June to August.
Habitat: Bristlecone pine and mixed conifer forest communities at or near timberline, also with aspen. Known to occur on gravelly or rocky slopes, open meadows, and on ledges and talus slopes. Elevations:
2,130 - 3,400 m (7,000 - 11,200 ft).
Range: Endemic to the Spring Mountains. Known from upper Lee
Canyon and Kyle Canyon, Mummy Mountain, Deer Creek, and high
elevations along the Charleston ridgeline.
Comments: Distinguishable from other Penstemon species by its
purple-blue colored flowers and its high elevation habitat.