Bearded Tongue Text
Bearded Tongue
Penestemon digitalis
Picture Taken June 7
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
