Penstemon parryi

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Parry's Penstemon
Parry's Penstemon (Penstemon parryi)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Plantaginaceae Genus: Penstemon Species: P. parryi
Binomial name
Penstemon parryi A.Gray

Parry's Penstemon (Penstemon parryi), also called Parry's beardtongue or Desert Penstemon, is a wildflower native to Southern Arizona and northern Mexico. It is a perennial that blooms in March and April. The plants flower in their second year.^[1]

At the base of the plant are lanceolate leaves that grow in a rosette pattern. From the base emerge the flower stalks, which are 2 to 5 feet high and topped with numerous deep-throated flowers, pink to red in color.

Parry's penstemon is a desert plant. It thrives in full sun. Though drought tolerant, penstemon can be damaged by several years of drought in a row.^[2][3] It attracts hummingbirds. That plus the unusual splash of red it provides (in an area where wildflowers tend to be yellow or blue) make it a favorite xeriscape flower.

Parry’s Penstemon was named for Charles C. Parry, who served as surgeon-naturalist on the Mexican Boundary Survey in the mid 19th century.^[4].

[edit] External links

Penstemon parryi (Gray). Parry's beardtongue. USDA PLANTS Profile.

[edit] References