Semi-desert. Canyons, openings, shrublands. Spring.
McElmo Canyon, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, April 27, 2005.

Penstemon utahensis can be recognized even from a distance by its unusual shade of hot red-pink and its habit of growing in large colonies on hot dry slopes.  A closer inspection reveals other distinguishing characteristics: its flowers are almost always horizontal  (perpendicular to its stems, not drooping) and the five flanges of its deep flower tube (the corolla lobes) are flattened in one plane perpendicular to the tube.  One does not have to bend and twist to see Penstemon utahensis; the flower lips brightly face you.

Semi-desert. Canyons, openings, shrublands. Spring.
McElmo Canyon, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, April 27, 2005.

Semi-desert. Canyons, openings, shrublands. Spring.
McElmo Canyon, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, March 27, 2005.

Semi-desert. Canyons, openings, shrublands. Spring.
McElmo Canyon, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, April 27, 2005.

Semi-desert. Canyons, openings, shrublands. Spring.
McElmo Canyon, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, March 27, 2005.

All leaves are thick and rolled inward; stem leaves are nearly vertical.  Basal rosettes of many Penstemons over-winter and can be seen on winter hikes.

Semi-desert. Canyons, openings, shrublands. Spring.
McElmo Canyon, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, April 27, 2005.

Penstemon utahensis seed pods.