Penstemon angustifolius

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Penstemon angustifolius
2017.06.03 15.07.50 IMG 0277 - Flickr - andrey zharkikh.jpg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Penstemon
Species:
P. angustifolius
Binomial name
Penstemon angustifolius
Nutt. ex Pursh, 1813
Varieties [1]
  • P. angustifolius var. angustifolius
  • P. angustifolius var. caudatus (A.Heller) Rydb.
  • P. angustifolius var. dulcis Neese
  • P. angustifolius var. venosus (D.D.Keck) N.H.Holmgren
  • P. angustifolius var. vernalensis N.H.Holmgren
Synonyms [1]
  • Penstemon caeruleus Nutt. (1818)
Penstemon angustifolius with beetle on petal. Penstemon angustifolius 03.jpg
Penstemon angustifolius with beetle on petal.

Penstemon angustifolius is a perennial semi-evergreen forb belonging to the plantain family. This species is 1 out of roughly 273 species of Penstemon . [2] [3] This species is also known as broadbeard beardtongue. This forb is native to central United States and can be noticed by its brightly and highly variable colored flowers. [2]

Contents

Description

Penstemon angustifolius is a herbaceous plant that can grow between 6 and 65 centimeters (2 and 26 in), but more often is 15 to 45 cm (6 to 18 in) tall. [4] The stems are thick, waxy, and gray-green with somewhat woody bases. [5]

Their basal leaves, those springing directly from the base of the plant, range from 25–90 millimeters in length and 2–18 mm in width, though they are usually longer than 40 mm. [4] They have a leathery feel with a smooth, hairless surface, though occasionally they may be rough in texture. [5] [4] Leaf shapes vary between spatulate, spoon shaped, oblanceolate, like the head of a spear with a tapered base and end, or linear, narrow like a grass blade. The lowest cauline leaves, those attached to the stems, are similar to the basal leaves. [4] The flowers can be a range of colors, from pink and blue to lavender which bloom from April to June. [2]

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. [6] They can be found in the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains. They are drought tolerant and live in sandy soil with good drainage. [6] [2] These plants grow near each other in groups that can be found at elevations of 1200–2200 m. [2]

Taxonomy

Penstemon angustifolius was scientifically described and named by Frederick Traugott Pursh, who credited Thomas Nuttall in his publication. [1]

Ecology

This plant is useful in preventing wind erosion in its native environment. Deer and insects are known to eat parts of the penstemon plant. [6] Native bees especially enjoy this plant and the seeds are used by birds, rodents, ants and bees. [2] Penstemon weevils are an observed herbivore of this plant. [7]

Culture and use

Penstemon angustifolius have been cultivated as early as the 1800s. Native Americans have been recorded to use the plant roots medicinally. Additionally the pigment from the petals has been used to paint moccasins by the Lokota. [8] This plant can be used in landscaping and as a garden plant in xeriscaping situations. [9]

Related Research Articles

<i>Geum triflorum</i> Species of flowering plant

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.

<i>Penstemon strictus</i> Species of flowering plant

Penstemon strictus, the Rocky Mountain penstemon, is a penstemon with showy blue flowers.

<i>Penstemon digitalis</i> Eastern North American species of penstemon

Penstemon digitalis is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. The flowers are white and are borne in summer. It is native to eastern Canada and the eastern and southeastern United States. Penstemon digitalis is the most widespread species of Penstemon east of the Mississippi River.

<i>Penstemon thompsoniae</i> Species of shrub

Penstemon thompsoniae, Thompson's beardtongue, is a low perennial plant endemic to the southwestern United States, where it grows in dry shrublands, woodlands and forests. It is considered a species of conservation concern in California.

<i>Penstemon grandiflorus</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae

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.

<i>Toxicoscordion paniculatum</i> Species of plant in the deathcamas genus

Toxicoscordion paniculatum is a species of flowering plant known by the common names foothill deathcamas, panicled death-camas, and sand-corn. It is widely distributed across much of the western United States, especially in the mountains and deserts of the Great Basin region west of the Rocky Mountains. It grows in many types of habitats, including sagebrush plateau, grasslands, forests, and woodlands.

<i>Penstemon acuminatus</i> Plant species in the plantain family

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.

<i>Tetraneuris acaulis</i> Species of flowering plant in the sunflower family

Tetraneuris acaulis is a North American species of flowering plants in the sunflower family. It is known by many common names in English including stemless four-nerve daisy, stemless hymenoxys, butte marigold, and stemless rubberweed.

<i>Pediomelum tenuiflorum</i> Plant species in the pea family

Pediomelum tenuiflorum, the slimflower scurfpea, is a perennial in the pea family. It is about 2–3 feet (0.6–0.9 m) tall and has a lot of leaves on top. Its leaves can reach a length of 3 inches (80 mm). This flower can be found mainly in the central and southwestern U.S.

<i>Penstemon davidsonii</i> Species of flowering plant

Penstemon davidsonii is a species of penstemon known by the common name Davidson's penstemon, honoring Dr. George Davidson. It is native to western North America.

<i>Penstemon tenuis</i> Species of flowering plant

Penstemon tenuis is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by the common name sharpsepal beardtongue. It is endemic to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas in the United States where it is found in open, damp areas in alluvial soil. It typically flowers from early April into early June.

<i>Mertensia lanceolata</i> Species of plant in the borage family

Mertensia lanceolata, known as prairie bluebells, lance-leaved bluebells, lance-leaved lungwort, and narrow-leaved languid ladies is a species of flowering plant native to the Rocky Mountains and areas of the northern Great Plains in western North America. A herbaceous perennial it has blue-green leaves alternately arranged on its smooth flowering stalk. Its flower buds are pink-purple and become blue as they open.

<i>Penstemon pennellianus</i> Species of flowering plant

Penstemon pennellianus, often called the Blue Mountain beardtongue or Blue Mountain penstemon, is a species of beardtongue native to Washington and Oregon.

<i>Penstemon whippleanus</i> Species of flowering plant

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.

<i>Penstemon virens</i> Species of flowering plant

Penstemon virens, commonly known as blue mist penstemon, Front Range penstemon, or Green beardtongue, is a common Penstemon in the Front Range foothills in Colorado and Wyoming. The dainty flowers are an ornament to many rocky or sandy area within its range. It is confusingly similar to Penstemon humilis and Penstemon albertinus though the ranges of these plants do not overlap in the wild. The origin of calling it the "blue mist penstemon" is not precisely known, but is thought to relate to the large number of blue flowers the plant can produce reminding observers of a blue mist.

<i>Penstemon albidus</i> Species of flowering plant

Penstemon albidus, commonly known as white penstemon, white-flower beardtongue, or Red-Line Beardtongue is a very widespread perennial flower of the mixed-grass and shortgrass prairies. Its natural distribution is from Manitoba and Alberta in Canada to Texas and New Mexico in the United States. The bright white flowers for which they are named are quite attractive to both bees and hummingbird moths.

<i>Penstemon secundiflorus</i> Species of flowering plant

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.

<i>Penstemon ambiguus</i> Species of flowering plant

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.

<i>Penstemon caespitosus</i> Species of flowering plant

Penstemon caespitosus, commonly known as mat penstemon, is a summer blooming perennial flower in the large Penstemon genus. It is a widespread plant from near timberline to the foothills in the Southern Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau in North America. It is noted for its ground hugging growth habit and as a plant used in xeriscape and rock gardening.

<i>Penstemon arenicola</i> Plant species in the family

Penstemon arenicola, commonly known as Red Desert penstemon, is a species of plant from the Western United States. It primarily grows in Wyoming, but it also grows in small areas of Colorado and Utah. It is a short plant known for growing in sand as referenced by its scientific name.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Penstemon angustifolius Nutt. ex Pursh". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Penstemon angustifolius, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Profile, 2 February 2024
  3. "Western USA wildflowers: narrowleaf beardtongue, Penstemon Angustifolius". www.americansouthwest.net. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Freeman, Craig C. (29 July 2020) [2019]. "Penstemon angustifolius". Flora of North America . p. 113. ISBN   978-0190868512. OCLC   1101573420 . Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  5. 1 2 Welsh, Stanley L.; Atwood, N. Duane; Goodrich, Sherel; Higgins, Larry C. (1987). A Utah Flora. Great Basin Naturalist Memoirs, No. 9 (First ed.). Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University. p. 584. JSTOR   23377658. OCLC   9986953694.
  6. 1 2 3 "Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, Penstemon angustifolius". www.swcoloradowildflowers.com. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. "Penstemon angustifolius" (PDF). USDA NRCS Plant Fact Sheet. United States Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2024.