XPenstemon whippleanus - Whipple's PenstemonX
Click/Tap a thumbnail image to see its larger image with informational details.
-
Dusky Beardtongue, Whipple's Penstemon, Whipple's Beardtongue (Penstemon whippleanus), family Plantaginaceae (Plantain)
Was family Scrophulariaceae (Figwort). See WIKIPEDIA for a detailed account of the classification changes. We mention both families since many websites are not yet noting the move. The key used to identify this plant was from Colorado Flora Eastern Slope by Weber and Wittmann. The common name for this species makes sense - it does rather look like it is sticking out it's tongue.
INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH.... Native Americans long used penstemon roots to relieve toothache. Fieldwork in the remote parts of the Great Basin during the 20th century brought the total number of species known to over 250. In 1946 the American Penstemon Society was formed to promote both horticultural and botanical interest. From that website: 'Penstemons are an exclusive family of flowering plants found only in North America. In addition to the natural species there are over 800 cultivars and hybrids that have been developed by plant breeders over the last 300+ years. Penstemons range in size from an inch or so to over seven feet in height and the color range of their flowers covers the spectrum.'
Flower -
Plant location: We have enjoyed sighting Whipple's Penstemon in a number of locations: Rocky Mountain National Park on July 17, 2008, Boreas Pass Colorado on September 14, 2008, Cottonwood Pass - July 30, 2011, and again at the Rocky Mountain National Park on July 21, 2014.
This species is a perennial native to the continental United States. It can be found in the following states: Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. See the BONAP distribution map, here.Plant -
Bloom period: A long season - March to October in Colorado. Foliage as described by the Colorado State University Extension website: simple (not divided into similar parts), opposite (originating in pairs at the node - joint where the leaf joins the stem) - lanceolate (lance-shaped). Foliage -
Boreas Pass Colorado - September 14, 2008
Inflorescence buds, macro. The fine hairs covering the flowers gives them a most pleasing sheen. -
Cottonwood Pass Colorado - July 30, 2011
Inflorescence, in profile. -
Boreas Pass Colorado - September 14, 2008
Inflorescence buds, macro - glandular hairs. -
-
Cottonwood Pass Colorado - July 30, 2011
Showing here, the white coloration of the species (left) and the more common dark purple (right). What a fun treat to find the two colorations almost side by side. -
-
Cottonwood Pass Colorado - July 30, 2011
Inflorescence, white variant. -
-
Cottonwood Pass Colorado - July 30, 2011
Taking it from the top. -