Firecracker Penstemon
ExplorePlants
Firecracker Penstemon
penstemon eatonii
The Firecracker Penstemon is a striking perennial herb native to the arid mountains, canyons, and deserts of the western United States. Renowned for its brilliant, blazing-red tubular flowers, this resilient plant brings a burst of fiery color to otherwise dusty landscapes. It is a member of the plantain family and stands out as a tough survivor in harsh, rocky environments, serving as a vital early-season resource for migratory pollinators. Because of its incredible drought tolerance and vibrant aesthetic, it has also become a highly favored choice for xeriscape gardens and native plant landscaping in dry regions. Watching a patch of these flowers sway in the desert breeze, frequently visited by energetic hummingbirds, is a classic and delightful Western experience.
Habitat: Found in rocky canyons, desert shrublands, slopes, and open pinyon-juniper woodlands across the western United States.
Appearance
This plant grows in upright clumps of several slender, purplish-green stems reaching heights of 30 to 100 centimeters. It features smooth, thick, lance-shaped to oval leaves of a rich green to blue-green color, arranged oppositely along the stems. The defining feature is the array of narrow, tubular, bright scarlet-red flowers, each measuring about 2.5 to 3 centimeters in length, which hang in loose clusters along the upper half of the stalks.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPlantaginaceaeGenusPenstemon
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It is highly fire-resistant and is sometimes planted as a green-strip plant to help slow down wildfires in dry regions.
Its bright red flowers lack the landing platforms typically used by bees, ensuring that nectar is mostly reserved for hovering hummingbirds.
The common name 'beardtongue' for the genus refers to the sterile fifth stamen, which is often fuzzy or hairy, resembling a tiny tongue.
Special abilities
Ability
Hummingbird Design
The tubular flower shape and bright red color are perfectly adapted to attract hummingbirds, while the narrow opening excludes most insect robbers.
Ability
Xeric Resilience
Features thick, leathery leaves and a deep root system that allow it to conserve water and survive extreme heat and drought.
Ability
Soil Adaptability
Capable of thriving in nutrient-poor, rocky, and highly alkaline soils where other plants fail to take root.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 30-100 cm
- Weight
- 0.1-0.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 3-8 years
Diet & Feeding
As a photosynthetic plant, it synthesizes its own food using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential nutrients absorbed from the soil.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon dioxide
- Soil minerals
Foraging Method
- Photosynthesis
Ecological connections
mutualism
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Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
Hummingbirds pollinate the flowers while consuming the rich nectar rewards.
host plant
Chalcedon Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona
The caterpillars of this butterfly species feed on the foliage of Penstemon plants.
Traits
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Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Firecracker Penstemon?
The easiest way to identify Firecracker Penstemon is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Firecracker Penstemon?
30-100 cm
How much does Firecracker Penstemon weigh?
0.1-0.5 kg
How long does Firecracker Penstemon live?
3-8 years
What does Firecracker Penstemon eat?
As a photosynthetic plant, it synthesizes its own food using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential nutrients absorbed from the soil.
Where is Firecracker Penstemon usually found?
Found in rocky canyons, desert shrublands, slopes, and open pinyon-juniper woodlands across the western United States.
How does Firecracker Penstemon hunt?
Photosynthesis
Snap Map
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