Broadbeard Beardtongue
ExplorePlants
Broadbeard Beardtongue
Penstemon angustifolius
The Broadbeard Beardtongue is a pretty flower with long, narrow leaves and bright blue or purple blooms. It loves to grow in sunny places and attracts butterflies and bees!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Broadbeard Beardtongue has slender stems with narrow, grass-like leaves. It boasts clusters of vibrant blue-purple to lavender, tubular flowers. A distinctive fuzzy 'beard' inside each bloom gives it its unique name and helps guide pollinators.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPlantaginaceaeGenusPenstemon
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its scientific name, Penstemon, means 'five stamens'—even with one sterile!
Some Native American tribes used this plant for traditional medicine.
The 'beardtongue' is actually a sterile stamen, not a real tongue!
The vibrant blue-purple color is a rare sight in many dry desert plants!
Special abilities
Ability
Dry Soil Dynamo
Broadbeard Beardtongue has special roots and leaves that help it survive long periods with very little water.
Ability
Bee Beacon
Its bright, tubular flowers act like a landing strip for long-tongued bees, guiding them to sweet nectar.
Ability
Pollen Path
The fuzzy 'beardtongue' inside its flower helps brush pollen onto visiting insects as they search for nectar.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-45 cm
- Spread
- 15-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring - early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Western Bumble Bee
Bombus occidentalis
Long tongues ideal for tubular flowers.
eaten by
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
May browse on leaves and stems.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch flowers in the wild to help them stay safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Broadbeard Beardtongue?
15-45 cm
How wide does Broadbeard Beardtongue spread?
15-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Broadbeard Beardtongue?
2-3 cm
When does Broadbeard Beardtongue bloom?
Late spring - early summer
Is Broadbeard Beardtongue edible?
No
Is Broadbeard Beardtongue toxic?
None
What is Broadbeard Beardtongue's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Broadbeard Beardtongue pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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