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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Penstemon rupicola

Penstemon rupicola (Piper) Howell

Cliff Penstemon, Cliff Beardtongue

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PERU

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This low-statured perennial, no more than 6 in. tall, features mats of evergreen, gray-glaucous leaves and close clusters of pink to red to lavender, tubular flowers. Flowers in many racemes often form a dense display above thick mats of stems and leaves.

This is one of the West's most beautiful wildflowers. Although there are only a few flowers in any one raceme, there are many racemes, and in full bloom the plant is a swatch of bright, glowing pink.

From the Image Gallery

3 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: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CA , OR , WA
Native Distribution: WA to n. CA
Native Habitat: Cliffs, ledges & rocky slopes, usually at higher elevations

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: This diminutive penstemon is good for the rock garden.

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: Easily propagated by stem cuttings or seed.
Commercially Avail: yes

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
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 rupicola in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Penstemon rupicola in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon rupicola

Metadata

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

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