Cascade Beardtongue
ExplorePlants
Cascade Beardtongue
penstemon serrulatus
The Cascade Beardtongue is a beautiful wildflower that blooms with vibrant purple flowers. It loves to grow in sunny areas and attracts lots of buzzing bees!
Habitat: Mountain meadows and rocky slopes in the Pacific Northwest.
Appearance
The Cascade Beardtongue has vibrant deep blue to rich purple, trumpet-shaped flowers that cluster atop upright stems. Its glossy, green leaves are oval to lance-shaped, providing a lush backdrop in its mountain habitat. A distinctive fuzzy, sterile stamen inside the flower gives it the 'beardtongue' name.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPlantaginaceaeGenusPenstemon
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its scientific name *Penstemon* means 'five stamens' in ancient Greek!
Some of its flowers can change color slightly as they age, getting even deeper purple!
The plant's 'beardtongue' is actually a sterile, hairy stamen (flower part).
This tough plant loves to grow on sunny mountain slopes and rocky ledges!
Special abilities
Ability
Pollinator Beacon
Cascade Beardtongue has bright, tubular flowers that act like a visual target, guiding hungry bees and hummingbirds to its nectar.
Ability
Mountain Toughness
Cascade Beardtongue can thrive in challenging mountain environments, using a robust root system to anchor itself in rocky soil.
Ability
Fuzzy Guide
Cascade Beardtongue has a 'beardtongue' (fuzzy stamen) inside its flower that gently guides pollinators to the pollen.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Black-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus melanopygus
collects nectar and pollen
pollinates
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Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
feeds on its nectar
eaten by
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
browses its foliage
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Mountain PenstemonPurple Penstemon
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Cascade Beardtongue?
30-90 cm
How wide does Cascade Beardtongue spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Cascade Beardtongue?
2-3 cm
When does Cascade Beardtongue bloom?
Summer
Is Cascade Beardtongue edible?
No
Is Cascade Beardtongue toxic?
None
What is Cascade Beardtongue's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Cascade Beardtongue pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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