- Description:
There may be one to several erect stems. Opposite, egg-shaped leaves are smooth and glossy
with a pointed tip. Bell-shaped, white to lavender flowers are up to 2 inches long with
purple stripes in the throat.
- Comments: Penstemon
means “five stamens.” One stamen is sterile, bearded with a tuft of yellow hairs
and projects from the flower throat, thus the name, “beardtongue.” Another
common name is “foxglove,” because of its resemblance to Digitalis, the
plant used to produce heart medicine. Eleven species of Penstemon occur in
Kansas. New growth of Cobaea Beardtongue is eaten by livestock, especially sheep. It is
found on prairie hillsides and rocky soil in the eastern two-thirds of Kansas.
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