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Vick, Albert F. W.

Penstemon davidsonii

Penstemon davidsonii Greene

Davidson's Penstemon, Davidson's Beardtongue, Timberline Penstemon, Timberline Beardtongue, Alpine Penstemon, Alpine Beardtongue, Blue Color Mat

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PEDA2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

A flat, mat-forming perennial with flowering branches less than 6 inches high. The thick, round leaves are dark green, sometimes red-tinged. A matted plant with a woody base and stems and opposite, crowded leaves. The short flowering branches usually bear 2-4 blue-lavender to rose-purple bilaterally symmetrical flowers that seem unusually large for such a matted plant.

When in full flower, this species forms spectacular lavender mats. Plants in the southern part of the range have toothless leaves; to the north, toothed leaves are common.

From the Image Gallery

4 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Purple , Violet
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Lavender to bluish lavender, violet or purple. Abaxial ridges usually lavender or white.

Distribution

USA: CA , NV , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: S. B.C. to Tulare Co., CA & NV
Native Habitat: Rocky, alpine & sub-alpine woods & fields

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Well-drained soil with some summer water.
Conditions Comments: Must have winter snowcover.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds
Attracts: Hummingbirds

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 Treatment: 1-2 months stratification is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-22
Research By: TWC Staff

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