Penstemon fruticosus
Plantaginaceae
Shrubby Penstemon
Sprawling mat to 36 in. across, hairless, lower stems woody. Leaves lance-shaped, saw-toothed, with pointed tips. Flowers lavender or blue-purple, to 2 in. long, lower lip with 2 deep folds, golden hairs on inner parts near mouth. Grows in well-drained places at low to alpine elevations. Var. scouleri is smaller, with very narrow, slightly toothed leaves; grows in northeastern Washington and adjacent British Columbia. Var. serratus is the smallest form, with almost round, prominently serrate leaves; found near Snake River. Var. fruticosus leaves are wider, up to 2 1/2 in. long, 1/2 in. wide. All varieties are generally larger and have longer flower stems than P. davidsonii, with which they can be confused.
- Rarity: Locally Common
- Flowering Time: Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer
- Flower Form: 5 petals, 2 lips (Scrophulariaceae)
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Height: 12 inches
- Habitat: Alpine, East-side Forest, Shrub-Steppe
- Found In: East Gorge, Great Basin, Mt. Rainier NP, N Cascades NP, Wallowas
- Native: Yes
