Upright Blue Beardtongue
ExplorePlants
Upright Blue Beardtongue
penstemon virgatus
The Upright Blue Beardtongue (Penstemon virgatus) is a beautiful, hardy perennial wildflower native to the mountainous regions of the southwestern United States. Standing tall on slender, wand-like stems, this plant features striking spikes of tubular, two-lipped flowers ranging in color from pale lavender to deep blue-violet. It is a vital component of mid-to-high-elevation ecosystems, offering rich nectar rewards to local pollinators during the dry summer months. Take the ultimate field guide with you and identify Upright Blue Beardtongue using the Snappit app.
Habitat: Typically found growing in open ponderosa pine forests, montane meadows, and rocky or gravelly slopes at elevations between 5,000 and 9,000 feet.
Appearance
This plant is easily recognized by its erect, unbranched stems that reach heights between 20 and 80 centimeters. Its narrow, lance-shaped leaves are arranged oppositely along the stem. The flowers are tubular, about 2 to 3 centimeters long, with a distinct two-lipped opening. They exhibit light blue, lilac, or purple hues, often decorated with delicate magenta nectar guide lines running deep into the throat of the bloom.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPlantaginaceaeGenusPenstemon
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Because they bloom during the height of summer, these flowers provide a critical hydration and sugar resource for migrating hummingbirds.
The common name 'beardtongue' describes the sterile fifth stamen (staminode), which is heavily bearded with fine yellow or white hairs.
The species name 'virgatus' is Latin for 'wand-like' or 'made of twigs,' referring to the remarkably straight and slender habit of its stems.
Special abilities
Ability
Pollinator Guide Paths
Features dark purple lines inside the flower throat that act as visual guides, directing bumblebees and hummingbirds directly to the nectar.
Ability
Drought-Resilient Roots
Utilizes a deep taproot system to access sub-surface moisture, allowing it to thrive in dry, rocky, and nutrient-poor soils.
Ability
Hairy Pollen Lever
Possesses a sterile, fuzzy staminode (the beard) that physically forces foraging insects to brush against the fertile pollen-bearing anthers.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 20-80 cm
- Lifespan
- 3-10 years
Diet & Feeding
As a photosynthetic plant, it generates its own energy using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon dioxide
- Soil minerals
Ecological connections
mutualism
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
Visits the flowers for nectar, serving as a primary pollinator in high-altitude environments.
mutualism
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Hunt's Bumble Bee
Bombus huntii
Crawls inside the tubular flowers to collect pollen, acting as an effective pollinator.
eaten by
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Occasionally browses on the foliage and seed pods during the late summer months.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
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 Upright Blue Beardtongue?
The easiest way to identify Upright Blue Beardtongue is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Upright Blue Beardtongue?
20-80 cm
How long does Upright Blue Beardtongue live?
3-10 years
What does Upright Blue Beardtongue eat?
As a photosynthetic plant, it generates its own energy using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Where is Upright Blue Beardtongue usually found?
Typically found growing in open ponderosa pine forests, montane meadows, and rocky or gravelly slopes at elevations between 5,000 and 9,000 feet.
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