Some if not all of the wildflowers in these parts are magnificent this spring. I'm finding wonderful species in areas I didn't even notice them last year. A pause in the rain last weekend allowed me to get a few shots of this penstemon off.
We have a few varieties in these parts, I seem to lean towards this one being a Buckley's penstemon from the looks of the leaves. Don if you see this please set me straight if I'm mistaken.
Terrific shot! What a colorful penstemon. I believe you have Large Beardtongue, Penstemon grandiflorus. The tube of the flower is somewhat inflated and about 2 inches long compared to Buckley's Beardtongue, Penstemon buckleyi, which has a somewhat funnel-shaped flower about 3/4 inch long. You can find the latter in sandy habitats in mixed and shortgrass prairies found in northcentral and southwest Kansas. The former is a little more widespread. You would be the best judge on flower length although the photo does look like the flowers are over 1 inch long and inflated.
Of the two, only Large Beardtongue is found in Missouri in two extreme northwestern counties in the rare loess hill prairies overlooking the Missouri River Valley.
I was a ways from this when the shot was taken but I would say it stood close to 24 inches and yes now that you mention it the flowers do have an inflated shape I would say close to 2 inches long. Penstemon grandiflorus seems to be the better match.
I was trying to identify it with Mike Haddock's book "Kansas Wildflowers & Grasses" but I wasn't paying enough attention to the flower shapes.Hopefully your wildflower book will be setting next to his in the near future!
Discussion
7 repliesWe have a few varieties in these parts, I seem to lean towards this one being a Buckley's penstemon from the looks of the leaves. Don if you see this please set me straight if I'm mistaken.
Terrific shot! What a colorful penstemon. I believe you have Large Beardtongue, Penstemon grandiflorus. The tube of the flower is somewhat inflated and about 2 inches long compared to Buckley's Beardtongue, Penstemon buckleyi, which has a somewhat funnel-shaped flower about 3/4 inch long. You can find the latter in sandy habitats in mixed and shortgrass prairies found in northcentral and southwest Kansas. The former is a little more widespread. You would be the best judge on flower length although the photo does look like the flowers are over 1 inch long and inflated.
Of the two, only Large Beardtongue is found in Missouri in two extreme northwestern counties in the rare loess hill prairies overlooking the Missouri River Valley.
Best,
Don
I was a ways from this when the shot was taken but I would say it stood close to 24 inches and yes now that you mention it the flowers do have an inflated shape I would say close to 2 inches long. Penstemon grandiflorus seems to be the better match.
I was trying to identify it with Mike Haddock's book "Kansas Wildflowers & Grasses" but I wasn't paying enough attention to the flower shapes.Hopefully your wildflower book will be setting next to his in the near future!
I appreciate your input Don, take care.