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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Penstemon ambiguus
Penstemon ambiguus Torr.
Pink Plains Penstemon, Pink Plains Beardtongue, Gilia Penstemon, Gilia Beardtongue, Sand Penstemon, Sand Beardtongue
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: PEAM
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Pink Plains Beardtongue or Sand Penstemon is a mounded, fine-stemmed, shrub-like perennial, 1-3 ft. tall. In bloom, billows of whitish-pink, tubular flowers with pansy-like faces cover the plant. Masses of pinkish-white flowers bloom atop upright stems. Flowering increases with age as the woody base produces more stems. Leaves are thread-like in width, some persisting year-round.
Pink Plains Penstemon blooms most heavily in May, then continues until Oct., depending on moisture. The plant will tolerate extreme heat and drought conditions.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Flower: Flower 1 inch
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AZ , CO , KS , NM , NV , OK , TX , UT , WYNative Distribution: KS & CO to s. UT & NV, s. to w. TX, e. NM, & Chihuahua in n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Sandy plains, hills & mesas
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam
Conditions Comments: Sand penstemon blooms most heavily in May, then continues until Oct., depending on moisture. The plant will tolerate extreme heat and drought conditions.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Showy, Long-blooming, Blooms ornamental, Perennial gardenUse Wildlife: Cover, Nectar-insects
Warning: This plant contains substances that can cause painful irritation of the mouth and throat if ingested. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsDescription: Plants may be progagated by root division or seed sown in cool soil – spring or early fall.
Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
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 ambiguus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Penstemon ambiguus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon ambiguus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-21Research By: TWC Staff