Penstemon clutei is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by the common name Sunset Crater beardtongue. It is endemic to Arizona, where it is known only from a system of volcanic cinder cones, including Sunset Crater, in Coconino County.Penstemon clutei. Center for Plant Conservation.Penstemon clutei. The Nature Conservancy. This perennial herb grows up to 80 centimeters tall. It has waxy, serrated leaves and blooms in tubular pink flowers between April and August. This plant grows only on volcanic fields around Sunset Crater in one Arizona county. It grows in openings and around Ponderosa pines. It is a fire-adapted species.Fulé, P. Z., et al. Response of a Rare Endemic, Penstemon clutei, to Burning and Reduced Belowground Competition. Southwestern rare and endangered plants: proceedings of the third conference; September 25–28; Flagstaff, AZ. In: Maschinski, Joyce; Holter, Louella, editors. 2000. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Fort Collins, CO (Proceedings RMRS-P-23). pp. 139-152. It may be threatened by off-road vehicle use and by hybridization with other Penstemon.Springer, J. D., et al. Population structure and genetic variability of Sunset Crater Beardtongue (Penstemon clutei). February 28, 2010. Aven Nelson first described the plant in 1927 as a subspecies of Penstemon pseudospectabilis M.E.Jones. In 1937 David D. Keck gave the plant a distinct species name based upon its narrow ecological niche.
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