Kingdom Plantae Family Plantaginaceae Rank Species | Order Lamiales Genus Penstemon | |
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Similar Penstemon grandiflorus, Penstemon triflorus, Penstemon digitalis, Penstemon barbatus, Penstemon procerus | ||
Penstemon cobaea is a flowering plant in the plantain family, commonly known as cobaea beardtongue, prairie beardtongue or foxglove penstemon. The plant is native to the central United States, primarily the Great Plains from Nebraska to Texas, with additional populations in the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas. There are also populations reported in the southwestern United States as well as in Illinois and Ohio, but these appear to be introcutions.
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Habitat
Penstemon cobaea grows on hillsides, gravel, rocky outcrops, and gypsum soils, and eroded pastures.
Description
Penstemon cobaea is usually about 30 cm (1 foot) tall, occasionally as much as 60 cm (2 feet). Flowers has 5 lobes, with two large lobes on top and three small lobes on the bottom. The flowers have a structure reminiscent of a ribcage inside, and can be white or pink with magenta lines. The leaves of the plant are broad, at about 1.5 to 6 inches (3.8-15.0 cm) long and 0.5 to 2 inches (0.6-5.0 cm) wide.
Cultivation
The flowers of Penstemon cobaea will eventually become brown and black capsules, which contain the seeds. After planting, the seeds will take about two years to flower. It is good to leave 16 to 20 inches between plants when gardening, and lime is often needed in the soil.
