Species in the genus Penstemon are commonly called penstemons or beardtongues in English, and they will often have a common name based on either. As the subgenuses have some taxonomic uncertainty, the species are arranged alphabetically by name in the lists. As of 2024 [update] there are 281 species and seven natural hybrids, according to Plants of the World Online (POWO). [1] The database World Flora Online (WFO) regards all the species listed by POWO as valid, but additionally lists two natural hybrids as species and five additional species as valid. [2]
These 281 species of Penstemon are considered valid by both World Flora Online (WFO) and Plants of the World Online (POWO), with the exception of Penstemon grandiflorus . [1] [2] In both POWO and WFO, it is regarded as a synonym of Penstemon bradburyi. However, P. grandiflorus continues to be widely used as the correct species name in North America, including by the Flora of North America and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS database (PLANTS). [3] [4] It is listed as P. grandiflorus in the table with the synonym noted.
Scientific name Authority | Common names | Photo |
---|---|---|
Penstemon abietinus Pennell | Firleaf beardtongue | |
Penstemon absarokensis Evert | Absaroka Range beardtongue | |
Penstemon acaulis L.O.Williams | stemless penstemon | |
Penstemon acuminatus Douglas ex Lindl. | sharpleaf penstemon | |
Penstemon alamosensis Pennell & G.T.Nisbet | Los Alamos beardtongue | |
Penstemon albertinus Greene | Alberta penstemon | |
Penstemon albidus Nutt. | white penstemon | |
Penstemon albifluvis England | White River penstemon | |
Penstemon albomarginatus M.E.Jones | white-margined penstemon | |
Penstemon ambiguus Torr. | bush penstemon | |
Penstemon ammophilus N.H.Holmgren & L.M.Schultz | sandloving penstemon | |
Penstemon amphorellae Crosswh. | ||
Penstemon angelicus (I.M.Johnst.) Moran | ||
Penstemon anguineus Eastw. | Siskiyou penstemon | |
Penstemon angustifolius Nutt. ex Pursh | broadbeard beardtongue | |
Penstemon arenarius Greene | Nevada sanddune beardtongue | |
Penstemon arenicola A.Nelson | Red Desert penstemon | |
Penstemon aridus Rydb. | stiffleaf penstemon | |
Penstemon arkansanus Pennell | Arkansas beardtongue | |
Penstemon atropurpureus (Sweet) G.Don | ||
Penstemon attenuatus Douglas | sulphur penstemon | |
Penstemon atwoodii S.L.Welsh | Kaiparowits beardtongue | |
Penstemon auriberbis Pennell | Colorado penstemon | |
Penstemon australis Small | Eustis Lake beardtongue | |
Penstemon azureus Benth. | azure penstemon | |
Penstemon baccharifolius Hook. | baccharisleaf beardtongue | |
Penstemon barbatus (Cav.) Roth | golden-beard penstemon | |
Penstemon barnebyi N.H.Holmgren | Barneby's penstemon | |
Penstemon barrettiae A.Gray | Barrett's beardtongue | |
Penstemon bicolor (Brandegee) Clokey & D.D.Keck | pinto beardtongue | |
Penstemon bleaklyi O'Kane & K.D.Heil | bleakly penstemon | |
Penstemon bolanius Straw | ||
Penstemon bracteatus D.D.Keck | Red Canyon beardtongue | |
Penstemon breviculus (D.D.Keck) G.T.Nisbet & R.C.Jacks. | shortstem beardtongue | |
Penstemon brevisepalus Pennell | short-sepaled beardtongue | |
Penstemon buckleyi Pennell | buckley penstemon | |
Penstemon caesius A.Gray | San Bernardino penstemon | |
Penstemon caespitosus Nutt. ex A.Gray | mat penstemon | |
Penstemon calcareus Brandegee | limestone penstemon | |
Penstemon californicus (Munz & I.M.Johnst.) D.D.Keck | California penstemon | |
Penstemon calycosus Small | longsepal beardtongue | |
Penstemon campanulatus (Cav.) Willd. | bellflower beardtongue | |
Penstemon canescens Britton | eastern gray beardtongue | |
Penstemon cardinalis Wooton & Standl. | cardinal beardtongue | |
Penstemon cardwellii Howell | Cardwell's beardtongue | |
Penstemon carnosus Pennell | fleshy beardtongue | |
Penstemon caryi Pennell | Cary's beardtongue | |
Penstemon cedrosensis Krautter | Cedros Island penstemon | |
Penstemon centranthifolius (Benth.) Benth. | scarlet bugler | |
Penstemon cinicola D.D.Keck | ash penstemon | |
Penstemon clevelandii A.Gray | Cleveland's beardtongue | |
Penstemon clutei A.Nelson | Sunset Crater beardtongue | |
Penstemon cobaea Nutt. | cobaea beardtongue | |
Penstemon comarrhenus A.Gray | dusty beardtongue | |
Penstemon concinnus D.D.Keck | Tunnel Springs beardtongue | |
Penstemon confertus Douglas | yellow penstemon | |
Penstemon confusus M.E.Jones | Owens Valley beardtongue | |
Penstemon crandallii A.Nelson | Crandall's penstemon | |
Penstemon curtiflorus (D.D.Keck) N.H.Holmgren | ||
Penstemon cusickii A.Gray | Cusick's beardtongue | |
Penstemon cyananthus Hook. | Wasatch beardtongue | |
Penstemon cyaneus Pennell | blue penstemon | |
Penstemon cyanocaulis Payson | bluestem beardtongue | |
Penstemon cyathophorus Rydb. | cupped penstemon | |
Penstemon dasyphyllus A.Gray | Cochise beardtongue | |
Penstemon davidsonii Greene | Davidson's penstemon | |
Penstemon deamii Pennell | Deam's beardtongue | |
Penstemon deaveri Crosswh. | Mt. Graham beardtongue | |
Penstemon debilis O'Kane & J.L.Anderson | Parachute beardtongue | |
Penstemon degeneri Crosswh. | Degener's beardtongue | |
Penstemon deustus Douglas ex Lindl. | scabland penstemon | |
Penstemon digitalis Nutt. ex Sims | talus slope penstemon | |
Penstemon diphyllus Rydb. | twoleaf beardtongue | |
Penstemon discolor D.D.Keck | Catalina beardtongue | |
Penstemon dissectus Elliott | dissected beardtongue | |
Penstemon distans N.H.Holmgren | Mt. Tumbull beardtongue | |
Penstemon dolius M.E.Jones | Jones's penstemon | |
Penstemon dugesii Pérez-Calix & Zacarías | ||
Penstemon duchesnensis (N.H.Holmgren) Neese | Duchesne penstemon | |
Penstemon eatonii A.Gray | Eaton's penstemon | |
Penstemon elegantulus Pennell | rockvine penstemon | |
Penstemon ellipticus J.M.Coult. & Fisher | eggleaf penstemon | |
Penstemon eriantherus Nutt. ex Pursh | fuzzytongue penstemon | |
Penstemon euglaucus English | glaucous beardtongue | |
Penstemon eximius D.D.Keck | extrodinary penstemon | |
Penstemon fasciculatus A.Gray | ||
Penstemon fendleri Torr. & A.Gray | fendler penstemon | |
Penstemon filiformis (D.D.Keck) D.D.Keck | threadleaf beardtongue | |
Penstemon filisepalis Straw | ||
Penstemon flavescens Pennell | high mountain penstemon | |
Penstemon floribundus Danley | Cordillia's penstemon | |
Penstemon floridus Brandegee | Panamint beardtongue | |
Penstemon flowersii Neese & S.L.Welsh | Flowers' beardtongue | |
Penstemon franklinii S.L.Welsh | Franklin's penstemon | |
Penstemon fremontii Torr. & A.Gray | Fremont penstemon | |
Penstemon fruticiformis Coville | Death Valley penstemon | |
Penstemon fruticosus (Pursh) Greene | Greene bush penstemon | |
Penstemon gairdneri Hook. | Gairdner's beardtongue | |
Penstemon galloensis G.L.Nesom | ||
Penstemon gentianoides (Kunth) Poir. | gentian penstemon | |
Penstemon gentryi Standl. | ||
Penstemon gibbensii Dorn | Gibbens' beardtongue | |
Penstemon glaber Pursh | sawsepal penstemon | |
Penstemon glandulosus Douglas ex Lindl. | stickystem penstemon | |
Penstemon glaucinus Pennell | blueleaf beardtongue | |
Penstemon globosus (Piper) Pennell & D.D.Keck | globe penstemon | |
Penstemon goodrichii N.H.Holmgren | Lapoint penstemon | |
Penstemon gormanii Greene | Gorman's beardtongue | |
Penstemon gracilentus A.Gray | slender penstemon | |
Penstemon gracilis Nutt. | lilac penstemon | |
Penstemon grandiflorus | large flower penstemon | |
Penstemon grahamii D.D.Keck | Uinta Basin beardtongue | |
Penstemon griffinii A.Nelson | Griffin's beardtongue | |
Penstemon grinnellii Eastw. | Grinnell's beardtongue | |
Penstemon guadalupensis A.Heller | Guadalupe beardtongue | |
Penstemon hallii A.Gray | Hall's beardtongue | |
Penstemon harbourii A.Gray | Harbour's beardtongue | |
Penstemon harringtonii Penland | Harrington's beardtongue | |
Penstemon hartwegii Benth. | Hartweg's beardtongue | |
Penstemon havardii A.Gray | Big Bend beardtongue | |
Penstemon haydenii S.Watson ex J.M.Coult. | blowout beardtongue | |
Penstemon henricksonii Straw | ||
Penstemon hesperius M.E.Peck | tall western penstemon | |
Penstemon heterodoxus A.Gray | Sierra beardtongue | |
Penstemon heterophyllus Lindl. | bunchleaf penstemon | |
Penstemon hidalgensis Straw | ||
Penstemon hirsutus (L.) Willd. | hairy beardtongue | |
Penstemon humilis Nutt. ex A.Gray | low beardtongue | |
Penstemon idahoensis N.D.Atwood & S.L.Welsh | Idaho penstemon | |
Penstemon imberbis (Kunth) Trautv. | ||
Penstemon immanifestus N.H.Holmgren | Steptoe Valley beardtongue | |
Penstemon incertus Brandegee | Mojave beardtongue | |
Penstemon inflatus Crosswh. | inflated beardtongue | |
Penstemon isophyllus B.L.Rob. | equal-leaved penstemon | |
Penstemon jamesii Benth. | James penstemon | |
Penstemon janishiae N.H.Holmgren | Antelope Valley beardtongue | |
Penstemon kingii S.Watson | King's beardtongue | |
Penstemon kralii D.Estes | ||
Penstemon labrosus (A.Gray) Mast. ex Hook.f. | San Gabriel beardtongue | |
Penstemon laetus A.Gray | mountain blue penstemon | |
Penstemon laevigatus Aiton | eastern smooth beardtongue | |
Penstemon laevis Pennell | southwestern beardtongue | |
Penstemon lanceolatus Benth. | lanceleaf penstemon | |
Penstemon laricifolius Hook. & Arn. | larchleaf beardtongue | |
Penstemon laxiflorus Pennell | nodding beardtongue | |
Penstemon laxus A.Nelson | tufted penstemon | |
Penstemon leiophyllus Pennell | smoothleaf beardtongue | |
Penstemon lemhiensis (D.D.Keck) D.D.Keck & Cronquist | Lemhi penstemon | |
Penstemon lentus Pennell | handsome beardtongue | |
Penstemon leonardii Rydb. | Leonard's beardtongue | |
Penstemon leonensis Straw | ||
Penstemon linarioides A.Gray | creeping penstemon | |
Penstemon longiflorus (Pennell) S.L.Clark | longflower penstemon | |
Penstemon luteus G.L.Nesom | ||
Penstemon lyallii (A.Gray) A.Gray | Lyall's beardtongue | |
Penstemon marcusii (D.D.Keck) N.H.Holmgren | Marcus' beardtongue | |
Penstemon mensarum Pennell | tiger beardtongue | |
Penstemon metcalfei Wooton & Standl. | Metcalfe's beardtongue | |
Penstemon miniatus Lindl. | ||
Penstemon miser A.Gray | Malheur penstemon | |
Penstemon moffatii Eastw. | Moffatt's beardtongue | |
Penstemon mohinoranus Straw | Cerro Mohinora penstemon | |
Penstemon monoensis A.Heller | Mono penstemon | |
Penstemon montanus Greene | cordroot beardtongue | |
Penstemon moriahensis N.H.Holmgren | Mount Moriah penstemon | |
Penstemon mucronatus N.H.Holmgren | ||
Penstemon multiflorus (Benth.) Chapm. ex Small | manyflower beardtongue | |
Penstemon murrayanus Hook. | scarlet beardtongue | |
Penstemon nanus D.D.Keck | dwarf beardtongue | |
Penstemon navajoa N.H.Holmgren | Navajo Mountain beardtongue | |
Penstemon neomexicanus Wooton & Standl. | New Mexico beardtongue | |
Penstemon neotericus D.D.Keck | Plumas County beardtongue | |
Penstemon newberryi A.Gray | mountain pride | |
Penstemon nitidus Douglas ex Benth. | waxleaf penstemon | |
Penstemon nudiflorus A.Gray | Flagstaff beardtongue | |
Penstemon occiduus Straw | ||
Penstemon oklahomensis Pennell | Oklahoma beardtongue | |
Penstemon oliganthus Wooton & Standl. | Apache beardtongue | |
Penstemon ophianthus Pennell | Arizona beardtongue | |
Penstemon osterhoutii Pennell | Osterhout's beardtongue | |
Penstemon ovatus Douglas | eggleaf beardtongue | |
Penstemon pachyphyllus A.Gray ex Rydb. | thickleaf beardtongue | |
Penstemon pahutensis N.H.Holmgren | Pahute penstemon | |
Penstemon pallidus Small | pale beardtongue | |
Penstemon palmeri A.Gray | Palmer's penstemon | |
Penstemon papillatus J.T.Howell | Inyo beardtongue | |
Penstemon parryi A.Gray | Gray Parry penstemon | |
Penstemon parvulus (A.Gray) Krautter | Aquarius Plateau beardtongue | |
Penstemon parvus Pennell | Aquarius Plateau penstemon | |
Penstemon patens (M.E.Jones) N.H.Holmgren | Lone Pine beardtongue | |
Penstemon payettensis A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr. | Payette beardtongue | |
Penstemon paysoniorum D.D.Keck | Payson's beardtongue | |
Penstemon peckii Pennell | Peck's beardtongue | |
Penstemon penlandii W.A.Weber | Kremling beardtongue | |
Penstemon pennellianus D.D.Keck | Blue Mountain beardtongue | |
Penstemon perfoliatus Al.Brongn. | ||
Penstemon perpulcher A.Nelson | Minidoka beardtongue | |
Penstemon personatus D.D.Keck | closethroat beardtongue | |
Penstemon petiolatus Brandegee | lime penstemon | |
Penstemon pinifolius Greene | pineneedle beardtongue | |
Penstemon pinorum L.M.Shultz & J.S.Shultz | Pine Valley penstemon | |
Penstemon plagapineus Straw | pine-land penstemon | |
Penstemon platyphyllus Rydb. | broadleaf beardtongue | |
Penstemon potosinus Straw | San Luis Potosi penstemon | |
Penstemon pratensis Greene | whiteflower beardtongue | |
Penstemon procerus Douglas ex Graham | littleflower penstemon | |
Penstemon pruinosus Douglas | Chelan beardtongue | |
Penstemon pseudoparvus Crosswh. | Mt. Washington beardtongue | |
Penstemon pseudoputus (Crosswh.) N.H.Holmgren | Kaibab Plateau beardtongue | |
Penstemon pseudospectabilis M.E.Jones | desert penstemon | |
Penstemon pudicus Reveal & Beatley | bashful penstemon | |
Penstemon pumilus Nutt. | Salmon River beardtongue | |
Penstemon punctatus Brandegee | ||
Penstemon purpusii Brandegee | Snow Mountain beardtongue | |
Penstemon putus A.Nelson | Black River beardtongue | |
Penstemon radicosus A.Nelson | matroot penstemon | |
Penstemon rattanii A.Gray | Rattan's beardtongue | |
Penstemon reidmoranii Zacarías & A.Wolfe | Reid Moran's penstemon | |
Penstemon retrorsus Payson | Adobe Hills penstemon | |
Penstemon rhizomatosus N.H.Holmgren | Schell Creek penstemon | |
Penstemon richardsonii Douglas ex Lindl. | cutleaf beardtongue | |
Penstemon roezlii Regel | Roezl's penstemon | |
Penstemon roseus (Cerv. ex Sweet) G.Don | pinto penstemon | |
Penstemon rostriflorus Kellogg | beaked beardtongue | |
Penstemon rotundifolius A.Gray | roundleaf penstemon | |
Penstemon rubicundus D.D.Keck | Wassuck penstemon | |
Penstemon rupicola (Piper) Howell | cliff beardtongue | |
Penstemon rydbergii A.Nelson | meadow beardtongue | |
Penstemon salmonensis N.H.Holmgren | ||
Penstemon saltarius Crosswh. | ||
Penstemon saxosorum Pennell | upland beardtongue | |
Penstemon scapoides D.D.Keck | pinyon beardtongue | |
Penstemon scariosus Pennell | White River beardtongue | |
Penstemon schaffneri (Hemsl.) Straw | jarritos penstemon | |
Penstemon secundiflorus Benth. | sidebells penstemon | |
Penstemon seorsus (A.Nelson) D.D.Keck | shortlobe penstemon | |
Penstemon sepalulus A.Nelson | littlecup beardtongue | |
Penstemon serrulatus Menzies ex Sm. | serrulate penstemon | |
Penstemon smallii A.Heller | Small's beardtongue | |
Penstemon spatulatus Pennell | Wallowa penstemon | |
Penstemon speciosus Douglas | royal penstemon | |
Penstemon spectabilis Thurb. ex A.Gray | showy penstemon | |
Penstemon stenophyllus A.Gray | Sonoran beardtongue | |
Penstemon stephensii Brandegee | Stephens' penstemon | |
Penstemon strictiformis Rydb. | Mancos penstemon | |
Penstemon strictus Benth. | Rocky Mountain beardtongue | |
Penstemon subglaber Rydb. | smooth penstemon | |
Penstemon subserratus Pennell | finetooth beardtongue | |
Penstemon subulatus M.E.Jones | hackberry beardtongue | |
Penstemon sudans M.E.Jones | Susanville beardtongue | |
Penstemon superbus A.Nelson | superb beardtongue | |
Penstemon tenuiflorus Pennell | eastern whiteflower beardtongue | |
Penstemon tenuifolius Benth. | ||
Penstemon tenuis Small | sharpsepal beardtongue | |
Penstemon tepicensis Straw | ||
Penstemon teucrioides Greene | germander beardtongue | |
Penstemon thompsoniae (A.Gray) Rydb. | Thompson's penstemon | |
Penstemon thurberi Torr. | Thurber's penstemon | |
Penstemon tidestromii Pennell | Tidestrom's beardtongue | |
Penstemon tiehmii N.H.Holmgren | Tiehm's penstemon | |
Penstemon tracyi D.D.Keck | Trinity penstemon | |
Penstemon triflorus A.Heller | Heller's beardtongue | |
Penstemon triphyllus Douglas | Riggin's penstemon | |
Penstemon tubaeflorus Nutt. | white wand beardtongue | |
Penstemon uintahensis Pennell | Uinta Mountain beardtongue | |
Penstemon utahensis Eastw. | Utah penstemon | |
Penstemon venustus Douglas | Venus penstemon | |
Penstemon virens Pennell ex Rydb. | Front Range beardtongue | |
Penstemon virgatus A.Gray | upright blue beardtongue | |
Penstemon vizcainensis Moran | ||
Penstemon vulcanellus Crosswh. | ||
Penstemon wardii A.Gray | Ward's beardtongue | |
Penstemon washingtonensis D.D.Keck | Washington beardtongue | |
Penstemon watsonii A.Gray | Watson's penstemon | |
Penstemon wendtiorum B.L.Turner [5] | ||
Penstemon whippleanus A.Gray | dark penstemon | |
Penstemon wilcoxii Rydb. | Wilcox's penstemon | |
Penstemon wislizeni (A.Gray) Straw | ||
Penstemon wrightii Hook. | Wright's beardtongue | |
Penstemon xylus A.Nelson | Tushar Bluemat Penstemon | |
Penstemon yampaensis Penland | Yampa penstemon |
As of 2024 [update] these seven naturally occurring hybrids are valid, according to POWO. [1] Two are considered valid species, according to WFO. [2]
Scientific name Authority | Common names | Photo |
---|---|---|
Penstemon × crideri A.Nelson | Crider penstemon | |
Penstemon × dubius Davidson | dubius penstemon | |
Penstemon × jonesii | Jones' penstemon | |
Penstemon × mirus A.Nelson | ||
Penstemon × moronensis | ||
Penstemon × parishii A.Gray | ||
Penstemon × peirsonii Munz & I.M.Johnst. |
These five species are listed as accepted by World Flora Online, but are not accepted by Plants of the World Online. [2]
Scientific name Authority | Common names | Photo |
---|---|---|
Penstemon brevibarbatus Crosswhite | ||
Penstemon cerrosensis Kellogg | ||
Penstemon compactus (D.D.Keck) Crosswh. | cache beardtongue | |
Penstemon jaliscensis B.L.Rob. | ||
Penstemon minutifolius Straw |
Penstemon, the beardtongues, is a large genus of roughly 280 species of flowering plants native to North America from northern Canada to Central America. It is the largest genus of flowering plants endemic to North America. As well as being the scientific name, penstemon is also widely used as a common name for all Penstemon species alongside beardtongues.
Pueraria is a genus of 15–20 species of legumes native to south, east, and southeast Asia and to New Guinea and northern Australia. The best known member is kudzu, also called Japanese arrowroot. The genus is named after 19th century Swiss botanist Marc Nicolas Puerari.
Campanula rotundifolia, the common harebell, Scottish bluebell, or bluebell of Scotland, is a species of flowering plant in the bellflower family Campanulaceae. This herbaceous perennial is found throughout the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. In Scotland, it is often known simply as bluebell. It is the floral emblem of Sweden where it is known as small bluebell. It produces its violet-blue, bell-shaped flowers in late summer and autumn.
Hesperocyparis arizonica, the Arizona cypress, is a North American species of tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae, native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. Populations may be scattered rather than in large, dense stands.
Eriophorum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cyperaceae, the sedge family. They are found in the cool temperate, alpine, and Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, primarily in the middle latitudes of North America, Europe, and Asia.
Microseris is a genus of plants in the tribe Cichorieae within the family Asteraceae, plants that often called composites. They are native to North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Geum triflorum, commonly known as prairie smoke, old man's whiskers, or three-flowered avens, is a spring-blooming perennial herbaceous plant of the Rosaceae family. It is a hemiboreal continental climate species that is widespread in colder and drier environments of western North America, although it does occur in isolated populations as far east as New York and Ontario. It is particularly known for the long feathery plumes on the seed heads that have inspired many of the regional common names and aid in wind dispersal of its seeds.
Penstemon digitalis is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. The flowers are white and are borne in summer. According to Francis W. Pennell it is a native of the Mississippi basin and its occurances in Canada and the eastern United states are introductions. Because of this Penstemon digitalis is the most widespread species of Penstemon east of the Mississippi River.
Nothocalais is a genus of North American flowering plants in the tribe Cichorieae within the family Asteraceae. There are known generally as false dandelions or false agoseris.
Penstemon grandiflorus, known by the common names shell-leaved penstemon, shell-leaf beardtongue, or large-flowered penstemon, is a tall and showy plant in the Penstemon genus from the plains of North America. Due to its large flowers it has found a place in gardens, particularly ones aimed at low water usage like xeriscape gardens.
Penstemon acuminatus is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by the common names sharpleaf penstemon and sand-dune penstemon. It is native to the dry interior of the northwestern United States.
Symphyotrichum dumosum is a species of flowering plant of the family Asteraceae commonly known as rice button aster and bushy aster. It is native to much of eastern and central North America, as well as Haiti and Dominican Republic. It is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach a height of 1 meter.
Penstemon fruticosus, the bush penstemon or shrubby penstemon, is a species of penstemon native to the Pacific Northwest of North America.
Eurybia kingii is a North American species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, called the King's serpentweed or King's aster. It has been found only in the State of Utah in the western United States.
Penstemon whippleanus, commonly known as dusky penstemon, dusky beardtongue, Whipple's penstemon, or Whipple's beardtongue, is a summer blooming perennial flower in the large Penstemon genus. It is a widespread plant within the hemiboreal forests of the Rocky Mountains in North America. It is noted for the large deep purple-red flowers and a preference for high mountain elevations.
Penstemon secundiflorus, commonly known as sidebells penstemon, or orchid beardtoungue is a species of Penstemon that grows in dry forests, high plains, and scrub lands from Wyoming to Mexico. It is a herbaceous perennial plant that typically grows to a height of 20 to 50 cm and has narrow, lance-shaped leaves that are grayish-green in color. The flowers of the sidebells penstemon are tubular in shape and are arranged in a one-sided spike, with the blooms all facing the same direction, and for this reason was named "secundiflorus", which means "one-sided flowers". The flowers are most often delicate shades of orchid or lavender. It is sometimes used in xeriscaping, rock gardens, and wildflower meadows, and is well-suited to dry, sunny locations with well-draining soil.
Penstemon ambiguus, commonly known as the bush penstemon, pink plains penstemon, or gilia beardtongue is a species of Penstemon that grows in the shortgrass prairies and deserts of the western United States and northern Mexico. This bush-like penstemon grows in sandy, loose, and creosote soils and is particularly known for the spectacular flowering show it produces, sometime seasons turning whole hillsides bright pink–white.
Lupinus caudatus is a widespread species of wildflower in genus Lupinus from western North America known by the common names tailcup lupin and spurred lupin. It is distinctive for the short spur on its purple-blue flowers, for which it is named. Because of its wide distribution and toxicity it commonly causes poisonings of susceptible livestock such as horses, cattle, and sheep, though it is eaten without harm by wild herbivores like deer and elk. It is generally found from the Coastal Ranges and Sierra Nevada Mountains in the west to the Rocky Mountains in the east.
Nolina texana, the Texas sacahuiste or Texas beargrass, is a plant in the asparagus family that resembles a large clump of grass. It grows in the south central United States and Northern Mexico. They are sometimes grown as a garden plant in xeriscape or native plant gardens.