Scientific Family
Scrophulariaceae
Other common names
Arizona scarlet-bugler
little beardtongue
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Penstemon eatoni
Height
8 to 28 inches
Riparian
No
Slender plant with few to several stems, smooth; hairless throughout. Flowers slightly bi-lateral, bright red or scarlet, tubular flowers attract hummingbirds.
Petals bright red or scarlet, hairless throughout, the limb very narrow. Anther sacs open at maturity and spread out flat. Sepals obscurely 2-lipped, the lips about equally erect or spreading; sepals and flower stalks not obviously hairy, gland-like.
Habitat
Found on stony hillsides, rocky slopes, canyons and mesas.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1500
High elevation
4500
Flower Characteristics
Elongated flower stems 4 to 16 inches long; sepals 1/8 to 1/4 inch long; petals red or scarlet, tubular, narrow, 7 to 10 inches long, 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide at the mouth, not 2-lipped, the petal lobes similar, about 1/16 inch long, moderately spreading.
Flower color
Bright red or scarlet
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaf blades smooth; basal blades lance-shaped or narrow oval, up to 4 inches long, leaves gradually narrow towards the winged leaf stalk; stem leaves up to 3 inches long, attached directly but not clasping.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsule egg-shaped, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Brown
Dried light brown capsule has many small, angular seeds ranging in color from tan to black.