Native Plants
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Penstemon serrulatus
Penstemon serrulatus Menzies ex Sm.
Serrulate Penstemon, Serrulate Beardtongue, Cascade Penstemon, Cascade Beardtongue, Coast Penstemon, Coast Beardtongue
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: PESE5
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Several 1-2+ ft., leafy stems rise from a woody base. The leaves spaced along the stalks are opposite, oval, rather stiff, and with sharp-pointed teeth. One to several whorls of deep blue to purple, tubular flowers are near the top of the flower stalk, bilaterally symmetrical flowers.
This is one of the few penstemons occurring west of the Cascade Range. Serrulatus refers to the little, serrated teeth on the leaves.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 30 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Blue , Purple , VioletBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Blue to violet or purple.
Distribution
USA: AK , OR , WACanada: BC
Native Distribution: S. B.C. to s. Lane Co., OR, w. of the crest
Native Habitat: A variety of moist to wet habitats from the coast to 6000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Moist to wet soils.
Conditions Comments: The best penstemon for the mild, damp winters on the wet side of the mountains.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: HummingbirdsAttracts: Hummingbirds
Value 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
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 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 serrulatus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Penstemon serrulatus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon serrulatus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-22Research By: TWC Staff