Native Plants
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Penstemon laetus
Penstemon laetus A. Gray
Mountain Blue Penstemon, Mountain Blue Beardtongue, Western Gray Penstemon, Western Gray Beardtongue, Gray Penstemon, Gray Beardtongue
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: PELA7
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Woody at the base, this 1-3 ft. penstemon has several slender, purplish stems; gray-velvety leaves; and blue-violet to purple, widely gaping, tubular flowers in few-flowered, open clusters. At maturity the clumped perennial can be up to 2 ft. wide.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Leaf: Gray-Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Blue , Purple , VioletBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Violet to blue or purple, with or without violet nectar guides.
Distribution
USA: CA , ORNative Distribution: C. to s.w. OR, s. to Ventura Co., CA & w. NV
Native Habitat: Dry, open, rocky slopes & flats
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesValue to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Seeds germinate without difficulty although seedlings are easy prey to damp off. The root crown may be divided.Commercially Avail: yes
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Penstemon laetus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Penstemon laetus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon laetus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-22Research By: TWC Staff