Native Plants
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Penstemon purpusii
Penstemon purpusii Brandegee
Snow Mountain Penstemon, Snow Mountain Beardtongue
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: PEPU4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
The stems of this penstemon are 4-8 in. long, often laying on the ground and rooting with age. The overlapping leaves are broad and short, but strongly curled up to prevent water loss. Overall the plant may be about 1 ft. wide. Flowers occur only a few inches above the leaves, with red buds and uncommonly large gaping, blue or blue-purple flowers.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 8 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Blue , Purple , VioletBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Violet, purple or blue, with purple or violet nectar guides
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: N.w. CA Coast Range peaks
Native Habitat: Dry, open, stony slopes; 5000-7600 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Description: Loose talus.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Propagate using half-woody cuttings or seed.Commercially Avail: yes
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
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 purpusii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Penstemon purpusii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon purpusii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-22Research By: TWC Staff