Native Plants

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.

Enter a Plant Name:
Or choose a plant family:

Anderson, Wynn

Penstemon parryi

Penstemon parryi (A. Gray) A. Gray

Parry's Penstemon, Parry's Beardtongue

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PEPA24

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Long spikes of pink, tubular flowers line the upper portion of this perennial�s 2-3 ft. stems. The flowers occur in clusters at the ends of short, paired stalks. Several erect, sparsely leaved stems with pinkish-lavender, bilaterally symmetrical flowers in a long, open, interrupted cluster. In favorable situations this penstemon produces 4 ft. stems. The paired leaves are pale green and arrow-shaped.

This handsome species is commonly included in highway seeding mixes, which has expanded its range. Along highways it may provide spectacular splashes of color against grasses still brown from winter.

From the Image Gallery

16 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

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

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: AZ
Native Distribution: S. AZ & Sonora
Native Habitat: Mountain canyons; desert washes; grassland slopes

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, well-drained soils.
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 by seed.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

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

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
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

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2021-02-27
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back