Images
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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect or ascending, 1-5, unbranched, short-hairy below, glandular-hairy above.
- Leaves
- Opposite, simple, stalked below, sessile and clasping above, lanceolate to oblong or obovate, 1 to 4 inches long, 1/4 to 3/4 inch wide, nearly glabrous or finely-hairy to rough; margins entire to toothed; tips blunt to pointed.
- Inflorescence
- Panicles, narrow, 1.5 to 12 inches long, sometimes interrupted, with 2-10 whorl-like clusters of 2-7 flowers.
- Flower
- Calyces 5-lobed, lobes lanceolate, glandular-hairy; corollas funnel-shaped, less than 3/4 inch long, white to occasionally pale pink or lavender, weakly 2-lipped, upper lip 2-lobed, lower lip 3-lobed, glandular-hairy externally; throat with reddish purple lines; stamens 5, 4 fertile, 1 sterile with short yellowish hairs.
- Fruit
- Capsules, egg-shaped, about 1/2 inch long, woody; seeds numerous, angular, dark.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Open prairies and hillsides, on sandy or gravelly soils.
- Distribution
- West 1/2 of Kansas.
Additional Notes
Comments
The name "beardtongue" refers to the bearded sterile stamen found in the throat of the flower. White beardtongue is the most common penstemon in Kansas.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Plantaginaceae – Plantain Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 4-20 inches
- Last Updated
- 2025-02-15
Color Groups
White, Green & Greenish White Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: May, June, July