Taxonomy

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Category: Identification
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TAXONOMY: the science of describing, naming and classifying plants or animals, following the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature for plants. A taxon (plural: taxa) is any taxonomic entity, of whatever rank.

Penstemons, because they number almost 300, are subdivided into six SUBGENERA, apparently natural groups, categorized by anther shape and method of opening. Each SUBGENUS is posted under the first column in the table below. They are further subdivided if needed into SECTIONS, then SUBSECTIONS in particularly large groups.

SUBGENUS DASANTHERA, 9 species, the most primitive; no other subdivisions are needed.

SUBGENUS PENSTEMON, the largest with 8 SECTIONS and many Subsections.

SUBGENUS HABROANTHUS with 2 SECTIONS.

SUBGENUS SACCANTHERA with 2 SECTIONS.

Two subgenera are monotypes, containing only one species:
SUBGENUS CRYPTOSTEMON: species: Penstemon personatus.
SUBGENUS DISSECTI: species: Penstemon dissectus.

Detailed documents linked below (UNDER CONSTRUCTION).

  • Subgenus Dasanthera
  • Subgenus Penstemon
    • Section Penstemon
      • Penstemon
      • Proceri
      • Humiles
      • Multiflora
      • Tubaeflora
      • Harbouriani
      • Gairdneriani
      • Deusti
      • Arenarii
    • Section Cristati
    • Section Ericopsis
      • Ericopsis
      • Caespitosi
      • Linarioides
      • Ambigui
    • Section Coerulei
    • Section Peltanthera
      • Peltanthera
      • Centranthifolii
      • Havardiani
      • Petiolati
    • Section Fasciculus
      • Fasciculi
      • Campanulati
      • Perfoliati
      • Racemosi
    • Section Chamaeleon
    • Section Baccharifolii
  • Subgenus Habroanthus
    • Section Glabri
    • Section Elmigera
  • Subgenus Saccanthera
    • Section Saccanthera
      • Saccanthera
      • Serrulati
    • Section Bridgesiani 
  • Subgenus Cryptostemon
  • Subgenus Dissecti