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Native Plant Database

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Penstemon parryi (Parry's beardtongue)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Penstemon parryi (Gray) Gray

Parry's beardtongue, Parry's penstemon

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

USDA Symbol: PEPA24

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Long spikes of pink, tubular flowers line the upper portion of this perennial’s 2-3 ft. stems. The flowers occur in clusters at the ends of short, paired stalks. Several erect, sparsely leaved stems with pinkish-lavender, bilaterally symmetrical flowers in a long, open, interrupted cluster. In favorable situations this penstemon produces 4 ft. stems. The paired leaves are pale green and arrow-shaped.

This handsome species is commonly included in highway seeding mixes, which has expanded its range. Along highways it may provide spectacular splashes of color against grasses still brown from winter.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: AZ
Native Distribution: S. AZ & Sonora
Native Habitat: Mountain canyons; desert washes; grassland slopes
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

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 Collection: Not Available
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.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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