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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Penstemon gracilis (Lilac penstemon)
Reveal, James L.

Penstemon gracilis

Penstemon gracilis Nutt.

Lilac Penstemon, Lilac Beardtongue, Slender Penstemon, Slender Beardtongue

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PEGR5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

A slender, delicate perennial, 8-24 in. tall, with a loose-flowered spike of small, lavender, snapdragon-like flowers and dark green leaves.

The flowers of this plant attract hummingbirds.

 

From the Image Gallery

13 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple , Violet
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Lavender, with violet nectar guides.

Distribution

USA: CO , IA , IL , IN , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NM , SD , WI , WY
Canada: MB , SK
Native Distribution: S.w. Ont. to n.e. B.C., s. to WI, n.w. IA, s. NE & along the e. slope of Rockies from MT to NM
Native Habitat: Prairies; open woods at lower elevations

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Sandy or gravelly soils.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds
Attracts: Hummingbirds

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed.
Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: UPL FACU UPL UPL UPL
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Penstemon gracilis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Penstemon gracilis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon gracilis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-22
Research By: TWC Staff

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