Bearded Tongue
Penestemon digitalis
Picture Taken June 7, 2001
Penstemons have five stamens, one of which is much larger than the others, fuzzy, bearded and
sterile. This structure is the basis of the common name, bearded tongue, as well as the genus
name, penstemon, from the Greek, pente, five, and stemon, stamen. Penstemon flowers
are two-lipped; the upper lip is two-lobed and the lower three-lobed. Flowers of this species are
white, the floors of which are marked by pink to purple guide lines for pollinators. Bearded
Tongue can be found growing in low areas with poor drainage in our mountains. It blooms May
through June.
Figwort Family
Scrophulariaceae
Plant Name Index
| Pictorial Index
April 15
| April 20
| May 1
May 8
| May 15
| June 11
July 2
| July 17
|
