Native Plants
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Penstemon gracilis
Penstemon gracilis Nutt.
Lilac Penstemon, Lilac Beardtongue, Slender Penstemon, Slender Beardtongue
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: PEGR5
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A slender, delicate perennial, 8-24 in. tall, with a loose-flowered spike of small, lavender, snapdragon-like flowers and dark green leaves.
The flowers of this plant attract hummingbirds.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Purple , VioletBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Lavender, with violet nectar guides.
Distribution
USA: CO , IA , IL , IN , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NM , SD , WI , WYCanada: MB , SK
Native Distribution: S.w. Ont. to n.e. B.C., s. to WI, n.w. IA, s. NE & along the e. slope of Rockies from MT to NM
Native Habitat: Prairies; open woods at lower elevations
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Sandy or gravelly soils.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: HummingbirdsAttracts: Hummingbirds
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Propagate by seed.Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | UPL | FACU | UPL | UPL | UPL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallySearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Penstemon gracilis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Penstemon gracilis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon gracilis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-22Research By: TWC Staff