Rydb.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.148375
Element CodePDSCR1L6Q0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderPlantaginales
FamilyPlantaginaceae
GenusPenstemon
Other Common NamesWilcox's penstemon (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2026-07-29
Change Date2026-07-29
Edition Date2026-07-29
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2026)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsPenstemon wilcoxii is a wide-ranging perennial herb found in a variety of habitats, including shrubby areas, forests, and woodlands. It is endemic to the northwestern United States from western Montana to eastern Washington and northeastern Oregon, with a disjunct occurrence in south-central Washington. There are over 300 occurrences, which face threats from habitat loss, rights-of-way maintenance, recreational activities, hybridization with P. albertinus, and over-collecting for nursery plants. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPenstemon wilcoxii is endemic to the northwestern United States from western Montana to eastern Washington and northeastern Oregon, with a disjunct occurrence in south-central Washington (FNA 2019, MTNHP 2026, WANHP 2026). Range extent was estimated to be approximately 250,000 square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2026 (RARECAT 2026, GBIF 2026, NatureServe 2026).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2026, it is estimated that there are over 300 occurrences rangewide (RARECAT 2026, GBIF 2026, NatureServe 2026).
Threat Impact CommentsThis species faces threats from habitat loss, rights-of-way maintenance, recreational activities, hybridization with P. albertinus, and over-collecting for nursery plants, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species rangewide (FNA 2019, NatureServe 2026, WANHP 2026). However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, and affinity for typically abundant habitats.