Share

Native Plant Database

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.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Penstemon centranthifolius (Scarlet bugler)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Penstemon centranthifolius Benth.

Scarlet bugler

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

USDA Symbol: pece2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The basal leaves of this penstemon, are arrayed on many subwoody branches and are broadly spoon-shaped and gray-green. Few, erect, sparsely leafy stems have bright red, nearly radially symmetrical, tubular flowers in a long, narrow, but open cluster near the top. The stout flowering stalks rise as high as 3 ft. or more with dozens of showy, trumpet-shaped, bright red flowers.

In certain situations this species will produce extensive, nearly solid patches of brilliant red. The nearly radially symmetrical corollas are unusual.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

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

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: Coast Ranges from Lake to San Diego Cos., CA
Native Habitat: Dry slopes below 6500 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, well-drained soil.
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 using half-woody cuttings or seed.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification but it is not necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

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

View propagation protocol from Native Plants 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:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
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 centranthifolius in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Penstemon centranthifolius in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon centranthifolius

Metadata

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

Go back