Penstemon angustifolius

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Penstemon
Species:
P. angustifolius
Binomial name
Penstemon angustifolius

Penstemon angustifolius

Penstemon angustifolius with beetle on petal.

Penstemon angustifolius Nutt. Ex Pursh is a perennial subshrub belonging to the plantain family. This species is 1 out of roughly 180 species of Penstemon.[1][2] This species is also known as broadbeard and beardtongue.[1] This subshrub is native to central United States and can be noticed by its brightly colored flowers.[1]

Description

Penstemon angustifolius can grow between 4 to 24 inches tall.[3] Their basal leaves range from 2-9.5 cm in length.[3] This species stems are a thick, waxy, gray-green. The flowers can be a range of colors, from pink and blue to lavender which bloom from April to June.[3]

Distribution and Habitat

This species is found in the west-central United States extending from Montana and North Dakota to Arizona, New Mexico, and Kansas.[4] They can be found in the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains. They are drought tolerate and live in sandy soil with good drainage.[4][3] These plants grow near each other in groups that can be found at elevations from 1200-2200 m.[3]

Ecology

This plant is useful in preventing wind erosion in its native environment.[3] Deer and insects are known to eat parts of the penstemon plant.[4] Native bees especially enjoy this plant[3] and the seeds are used by birds, rodents, ants and bees.[3] Penstemon weevils are an observed herbivore of this plant.[5]

Culture and Use

Penstemon angustifolius have been cultivated as early as the 1800s.[6] Native Americans have been recorded to use the plant roots medicinally.[6] Additionally the pigment from the petals has been used to paint moccasins by the Lokota.[6] This plant can be used in landscaping and as a garden plant in xeriscaping situations.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  2. ↑ "Western USA wildflowers: narrowleaf beardtongue, Penstemon Angustifolius". www.americansouthwest.net. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  4. 1 2 3 "Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, Penstemon angustifolius". www.swcoloradowildflowers.com. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  5. ↑ Ogle, D., Peterson, S., St. John, L. 2013. Plant Guide for Palmer’s penstemon (Penstemon palmeri). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Plant Materials Center. Aberdeen, Idaho 83210.
  6. 1 2 3 Stevens, Mikel (2020). The Heart of Penstemon Country: A Natural History of Penstemons in the Utah Region. Sweetgrass Books. pp. 70–73. ISBN 978-1591522614.
  7. ↑ Penstemon angustifolius. USDA NRCS Plant Fact Sheet.


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