Penstemon angustifolius

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Penstemon angustifolius
Penstemon angustifolius - Craig Martin 01.jpg
Flowering Santa Fe National Forest, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico
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
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.
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]

Synonyms

Penstemon angustifolius has 7 synonyms of the species or one of its varieties. [1] [7] [8] [9]

Table of Synonyms
NameYearRankSynonym of:Notes
Chelone angustifoliaSteud.1821speciesvar. angustifolius= het. not validly publ.
Chelone caeruleaSpreng.1825speciesvar. angustifolius= het.
Penstemon angustifolius subsp. caudatus(A.Heller) D.D.Keck1939subspeciesvar. caudatus≡ hom.
Penstemon angustifolius subsp. venosusD.D.Keck1939subspeciesvar. venosus≡ hom.
Penstemon caeruleusNutt.1818speciesP. angustifolius≡ hom. nom. superfl.
Penstemon caudatusA.Heller1898speciesvar. caudatus≡ hom.
Penstemon venosus(D.D.Keck) Reveal1974speciesvar. venosus≡ hom.
Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym  ; = heterotypic synonym

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. [10]

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. [11] This plant can be used in landscaping and as a garden plant in xeriscaping situations. [12]

See also

List of Penstemon species

Related Research Articles

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

Penstemon barbatus, known by the common names golden-beard penstemon, and beardlip penstemon, is a flowering plant native to the western United States.

<i>Penstemon digitalis</i> Central 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. 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.

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

Penstemon deustus is a species of penstemon known by the common names hotrock penstemon and scabland penstemon. It is native to much of the northwestern United States from the Pacific Northwest to Wyoming, where it grows in many types of forest and open plateau habitat, often on soils heavy in volcanic rock or on limestone outcrops.

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

Penstemon eatonii is a species of flowering plant in the genus Penstemon, known by the common name firecracker penstemon. It is native to the Western United States from Southern California to the Rocky Mountains. It grows in many types of desert, woodland, forest, and open plateau habitat.

<i>Penstemon floridus</i> Plant species in the veronica family

Penstemon floridus is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by the common names Panamint penstemon and rose penstemon.

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

Penstemon cyaneus is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by the common names blue penstemon and dark blue penstemon. It is native to the western United States, where it is widespread in Idaho and also found in parts of Montana and Wyoming.

<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>Penstemon fruticosus</i> Plant species in the veronica family

Penstemon fruticosus, the bush penstemon or shrubby penstemon, is a species of penstemon native to the Pacific Northwest of North America.

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

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 comarrhenus</i> Plant species in the family

Penstemon comarrhenus is a perennial plant in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United States.

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

Penstemon cyanocaulis, the bluestem penstemon or bluestem beardtongue, is a perennial plant in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United States.

<i>Symphyotrichum subulatum</i> Species of flowering plant in family Asteraceae

Symphyotrichum subulatum, commonly known as eastern annual saltmarsh aster or, in Britain and Ireland where it is naturalized, annual saltmarsh aster, is an annual plant in the family Asteraceae native to the eastern United States and the Gulf Coast to Texas. The species grows primarily in coastal salt marshes, although in the Ozarks it occurs as a non-marine weedy variety.

<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 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 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> Plant species in the plantain family

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 gairdneri</i> Plant species in the veronica family

Penstemon gairdneri is a species of perennial plant in the Plantaginaceae family with the common name Gairdner's beardtongue. It is native to Washington, Oregon, and Idaho in the western United States.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "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 NRCS (2 February 2024), "Penstemon angustifolius", PLANTS Database, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  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. "Penstemon angustifolius var. angustifolius". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  8. "Penstemon angustifolius var. caudatus (A.Heller) Rydb". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  9. "Penstemon angustifolius var. venosus (D.D.Keck) N.H.Holmgren". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. "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.