Native Plants
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Penstemon murrayanus
Penstemon murrayanus Hook.
Scarlet Penstemon, Scarlet Beardtongue, Red Penstemon, Red Beardtongue, Cupleaf Penstemon, Cupleaf Beardtongue
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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Margin: Entire
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Flower: Flowers 1 inch long
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: RedBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AR , LA , OK , TXNative Distribution: E. TX & adjacent parts of OK, AR & LA
Native Habitat: Woodlands' edge, Opening, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Various well-drained soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Perennial garden, Showy, Blooms ornamentalUse Wildlife: A valuable hummingbird flower. Nectar-hummingbirds
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: Propagate by seed.
Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification.
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-1183 Collected 2008-07-24 in Anderson County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
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
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 murrayanus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Penstemon murrayanus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon murrayanus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-22Research By: TWC Staff