Penstemon Angustifolius, narrowleaf beardtongue
Plants > Wildflowers > Plantaginaceae > Penstemon Angustifolius
Common names:
Narrowleaf beardtongue, broadbeard beardtongue
Family:
Scientific name:
Penstemon angustifolius
Main flower color:
Range:
The Four Corners states and the Rocky Mountains
Height:
Up to 2 feet
Habitat:
Grassland, canyons, scrubland, semi-deserts, often sandy locations, from 3,500 to 8,000 feet
Leaves:
Narrow, lanceolate to oblanceolate, up to 3.5 inches long
Season:
May to July
Penstemon angustifolius produces one to many stems, forming a compact cluster, between 1 and 2 feet tall. Stems and leaves are hairless, greyish-green in color, with a waxy surface. Basal leaves are widest below the middle, while those higher up are more oblanceolate in shape, and clasping. The longest leaves are around the middle of the stem. Leaves are quite thick, and they have a lighter-colored midvein.
The inflorescence is an elongated cluster, with flowers angled in all directions, spreading or ascending. The top of the stem tends to arch when in bud, straightening as the flowers mature. The tubular flowers are lavender to blue/purple in color and about one inch long. The stamens are not exserted. The staminode (infertile stamen) is covered by orange hairs towards the tip.
There are five varieties of this species, distinguished by flower color and leaf characteristics.
The inflorescence is an elongated cluster, with flowers angled in all directions, spreading or ascending. The top of the stem tends to arch when in bud, straightening as the flowers mature. The tubular flowers are lavender to blue/purple in color and about one inch long. The stamens are not exserted. The staminode (infertile stamen) is covered by orange hairs towards the tip.
There are five varieties of this species, distinguished by flower color and leaf characteristics.
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