Penstemon eriantherus (Fuzzytongue penstemon)
Short to tall native perennial with lavender to pale purple flowers, blooming May to July. Drought tolerant, occurring on dry, well drained soils from the low shrub steppe to the mountains; up to 10,000 ft. elevation. Foliage and seeds are important food source for wildlife and birds. Use for restoration and xeriscaping. Attracts butterflies and bumble bees. Varieties listed below.
DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION
INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Duration: Perennial
Growth Habit: Forb
Native Status: Native
Growth Form: Single crown
Mature Height: 5-15 in.
Bloom Color: Lavender to pale purple
Bloom Period: May-July
Annual Precipitation: 12-14 in.
Drought Tolerance: Good
Shade Tolerance:
Elevation:
Fire Resistance:
Fire Tolerance:
Nitrogen Fixation: Yes
SOIL ADAPTATION
Coarse Texture: Yes
Medium Texture: Yes
Fine Texture: No
Salinity Tolerance:
CaCO3 Tolerance:
pH Range: 5.8-??
SEEDING NOTES
Seeds per Pound: 358,000
Seeding Rate: 1-3 PLS lbs/acre
Season: Fall/Winter
Days to Germination:
VARIETIES & LOCAL ACCESSIONS
Old Works - Found growing on a copper smelting mine site in soils with high levels of heavy metals and sulfur, including phytotoxic levels of arsenic and copper and a 5.8 pH. Thought to perform well in moderately acidic and heavy metal soils. Also suitable for use in habitat restoration projects not related to mining.