Large-flowered Beardtongue

(Penstemon grandiflorus)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: Paul Jackson, Cedar Creek Natural History Area, LTER, U.S. Dept. Energy and National Science Foundation.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Large-flowered Beardtongue (Penstemon grandiflorus Nutt.)

Identification: Flowers large, reddish-purple, with a tubular corolla and 5 free petal lobes. Petal lobes divided into two groups; 2 lobes above and 3 lobes below. Lower petal lobes curled under and upper 2 petal lobes further rearward than the lower three. One stamen with a tuft of hair. Stem and leaves partially succulent with a waxy look. Leaves rounded, in opposite pairs, and tough and waxy appearing. Plant 2 to 4 feet in height.

Distribution: Primarily a midwestern, prairie species found from North Dakota, Kansas, and Colorado eastward to Minnesota and Illinois. Found rarely and locally in the east.

Habitat: Large-flowered Beardtongue is a prairie species.

Flowering period: June to August.

Similar Species: The large, reddish-purple flowers and the round, waxy leaves are distinctive.

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