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Penstemon linarioides - toadflax penstemon

Scientific Family
Scrophulariaceae
Other common names
narrowleaf penstemon
linarialeaf penstemon
toadflax beardtongue
creeping penstemon
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Penstemon crandallii
Height
To 14 inches
Riparian
No

Woody-based plant, branches covered with short hairs to almost smooth. Stems 2 to 14 inches long, erect, spreading or almost lying flat on ground. Leaf blades long and thin to inverted lance-shaped, 1/4 to 1 inch long. Petals blue-purple to light purple.

Plants tufted, covered with short hairs or smooth; leaves narrow, taper to a tip; leaves and stems green or gray with hairs, margins smooth. Flowers purplish, throats ridged with few hairs; flowers very hairy on outside surfaces; sterile stamens bearded.

Habitat

Dry hillsides and flats.

Plant Community
Grasslands
Interior Chaparral
Montane Conifer Forest
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
9000

Flower Characteristics

Flowers arranged on one side of elongated stalk, not crowded. Sepals 1/4 inch long. Petals 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, covered in short, soft hairs that are gland-like on the outside and lightly bearded on the inside. Deep purple nectar guides.

Flower color
Blue-purple to light purple
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
None

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Stems 2 to 14 inches long, erect, spreading or almost lying flat on ground. Leaf blades narrow, inverted lance-shaped, 1/16 inch wide and 1/4 to 1 inch long, often crowded toward the base of the stem, farther apart above.

Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green to grayish
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaf attachment
Opposite
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Capsule has partitions that divide open.

Fruit type
Capsule