General description: Plants 4-10 dm tall, with one to few, erect stems, glabrous up to the glandular inflorescence.  Leave are entire, glabrous. Basal leaves are long, elliptic.  Cauline leaves are sessile and oblanceolate.  Inflorescence is elongate, slender.  Calyx is glandular pubescent, 3-5 mm long.  Corolla is dark blue or blue tinged with purple, 14-20 mm long, glandular-pubescent externally, glabrous within.  Staminode is included within the corolla throat, and is bearded most of its length.  Anther sacs are short-hairy on the side opposite dehiscence (Harrington 1954; Ackerfield 2012).

Look Alikes: Similar to P. strictus although the corollas are shorter. It is also similar to P. alpinus. The lobes are intermediate between those of P. strictus and P. alpinus, the calyx is covered with a glandular puberulence that extends in a lesser degree to the corolla itself.

Phenology: Flowers in late June through July, and sets fruit in early August (Colorado Natural Heritage Program 2012).

Occurs among oaks, aspens, sagebrush, and in meadows; and thrives in disturbed areas along roads and trails (Harrington 1954, Darrow 2006).  Often found in deep clayey loam soils.  Associated species include: Rosa woodsii, Cirsium scariosum, Helianthella quinquenervis, Lupinus argenteus, Festuca thurberi, Ipomopsis aggregata, Geranium viscosissimum, Castilleja linarifolia, Geranium richardsonii, Padus virginiana, Rubus parviflora, Symphoricarpos rotundifolious, Potentilla pulcherrima, and Phacelia sericea.

Elevation Range: 6,670 - 10,200 feet (2,033 - 3,109 meters)

Colorado endemic: Yes
Global range: Endemic to Colorado (Delta, Gunnison, Mesa, and Pitkin counties). Roughly 13.400 square km.

Roads and noxious weeds seem to be the primary concerns for this species but most records do not report threats.