Foxglove Beardtongue
ExplorePlants
Foxglove Beardtongue
penstemon digitalis
The Foxglove Beardtongue is a beautiful flowering plant that attracts bees and butterflies with its colorful blooms. It grows tall and has soft, fuzzy leaves that feel nice to touch!
Habitat: Foxglove Beardtongue typically grows in open woodlands, meadows, and along roadsides.
Appearance
The Foxglove Beardtongue has tall, upright stems topped with clusters of bell-shaped, white to pale pink or lavender flowers. Its tubular blossoms feature two lips and often a fuzzy lower "beard," visually distinguishing them from true foxgloves.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPlantaginaceaeGenusPenstemon
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its name, it's not a true foxglove, but a clever look-alike!
Its "beard" is a sterile stamen, acting like a fuzzy guide for pollinating bees!
Its seeds can hide for years, then sprout when conditions are right!
These tough plants can survive harsh winters and bounce back year after year!
Special abilities
Ability
Bee Landing Strip
Its lower lip acts as a landing strip for long-tongued bees, guiding them to nectar for efficient pollination.
Ability
Nectar Protection
Its fuzzy 'beard' helps keep out tiny ants that might steal nectar without pollinating the flower.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 60-120 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen
pollinates
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
Gathers nectar and pollen from tubular blossoms
eats
Arcigera Flower Moth
Schinia arcigera
Larvae feed on its seeds and flowers
Traits
Perennial
Perennial plants live for more than two years, typically returning to grow and bloom each year from their roots.
Herbaceous
Herbaceous plants are non-woody plants with soft stems that typically die back to the ground at the end of the growing season.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Digitalis Beardtongue
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Foxglove Beardtongue?
60-120 cm
How wide does Foxglove Beardtongue spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Foxglove Beardtongue?
2-3 cm
When does Foxglove Beardtongue bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is Foxglove Beardtongue edible?
No
Is Foxglove Beardtongue toxic?
None
What is Foxglove Beardtongue's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Foxglove Beardtongue pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park15 sightings8 species
Louisiana, US
Grand Isle State Park
You might spot Sharp-Lobed Hepatica and Purple-Flowered Raspberry.
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Park16 sightings8 species
Illinois, US
Ping Tom Memorial Park
You might spot Canada Goose, Common Milkweed, and Wild Bergamot.
View guide →
Park76 sightings3 species
Virginia, US
Wickford Park
You might spot Echinacea, Southern Wild Raisin, and American Sweetgum.
View guide →
