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Penstemon murrayanus (Scarlet beardtongue)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Penstemon murrayanus

Penstemon murrayanus Hook.

Scarlet beardtongue, Red penstemon, Cupleaf beardtongue, Cupleaf Penstemon, Scarlet Penstemon, Beard tongue

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PEMU2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Cupped, pale blue-green leaves surround the erect, reddish, 2-6 ft. stems of scarlet beardtongue. Scarlet, tubular, unevenly 5-lobed flowers in stalked clusters, rise in pairs from upper leaf axils.

This is considered a valuable hummingbird flower.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Flower: Flowers 1 inch long
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AR , LA , OK , TX
Native Distribution: E. TX & adjacent parts of OK, AR & LA
Native Habitat: Woodlands edge, Opening, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Various well-drained soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Perennial garden, Showy, Blooms ornamental
Use Wildlife: A valuable hummingbird flower. Nectar-hummingbirds
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Propagate by seed.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1183 Collected 2008-07-24 in Anderson County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 765 - McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Last Modified: 2009-06-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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