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Native Plant Database

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Penstemon murrayanus (Scarlet beardtongue)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Penstemon murrayanus Hook.

Scarlet beardtongue, Red penstemon, Cupleaf beardtongue, Cupleaf Penstemon, Scarlet Penstemon, Beard tongue

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

USDA Symbol: PEMU2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Cupped, pale blue-green leaves surround the erect, reddish, 2-6 ft. stems of scarlet beardtongue. Scarlet, tubular, unevenly 5-lobed flowers in stalked clusters, rise in pairs from upper leaf axils.

This is considered a valuable hummingbird flower.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Flower: Flowers 1 inch long
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AR , LA , OK , TX
Native Distribution: E. TX & adjacent parts of OK, AR & LA
Native Habitat: Woodlands edge, Opening, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Various well-drained soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Perennial garden, Showy, Blooms ornamental
Use Wildlife: A valuable hummingbird flower. Nectar-hummingbirds
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

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

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Propagate by seed.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification.

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1183 Collected 2012-07-25 in Anderson County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 765 - McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-06-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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