Scrophulariaceae

Penstemon speciosus

Showy Penstemon

Sturdy stems tend to spread out sideways, bearing clasping, long, oval leaves. Leaves often folded lengthwise, entire, with little hair or hairless. Inflorescence usually hairless, rarely covered with glands, with flowers on short stalks, usually all on one side of elongating stem. Flowers vivid blue, with white throat; widest part of flower tube is a noticeable pouch on underside; staminode sometimes hairy. Grows in sagebrush, rocky places, at mid to high elevations. Can be confused with P. roezlii, with sticky glandular inflorescence.

• Rarity: Common
• Flowering Time: Early Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 6--30 inches
• Habitat: East-Side Forest, Shrub-Steppe, Subalpine, Dry Rocky Sites
• Found In: Siskiyous, Wallowas, Steens, Crater Lake Np, N Cascades Np
• Native: Yes