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Penstemon speciosus
Penstemon speciosus Douglas ex Lindl.
Royal Penstemon, Royal Beardtongue, Sagebrush Penstemon, Sagebrush Beardtongue
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s): Penstemon speciosus ssp. kennedyi
USDA Symbol: PESP
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
The sub-shrubby branches of this clumped perennial rise 2-3 ft. and bear narrow, spoon-shaped leaves. The racemes of flowers, borne many to each plant, carry close wands of gaping bluish flowers.
Royal Beardtongue is a member of the figwort or snapdragon family (family Scrophulariaceae), which includes mostly herbs, sometimes shrubs, rarely trees, often with showy flowers.
From the Image Gallery
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: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Blue to violet, with reddish purple nectar guides.
Distribution
USA: CA , ID , NV , OR , UT , WANative Distribution: E. WA to CA, e. to ID & n.e. UT
Native Habitat: Dry plains; wooded or shrubby slopes; 3500-8500 ft.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Sandy or rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Drought-tolerant.
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: Propagate using half-woody cuttings or seed.Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
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 speciosus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Penstemon speciosus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon speciosus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-22Research By: TWC Staff