Subalpine.  Woodlands, openings.  Summer.
Near American Basin, July 24, 2007.

P. whippleanus flowers are almost always deep purple in the most western mountains of the San Juan Range and in the Abajo Mountains of Utah, but as one moves east, one also finds flowers with lighter lilac and blue flowers.  The pictured lilac flowers are common below American Basin between Silverton and Lake City.

Penstemon whippleanus (Penstemon)
Scrophulariaceae (Snapdragon Family)

Subalpine.  Woodlands, openings.  Summer.
Near American Basin, July 24, 2007.
Colorado Trail, September 7, 2007.

Basal leaves occur in masses.