Penstemon cyanocaulis, the bluestem penstemon or bluestem beardtongue, is a perennial plant in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United States.[1]: 165
Penstemon cyanocaulis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Plantaginaceae |
Genus: | Penstemon |
Species: | P. cyanocaulis
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Binomial name | |
Penstemon cyanocaulis Payson
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Description
editGrowth pattern
editIt is a perennial plant growing 10 to 22 inches (25 to 56 cm) tall.[1]: 165
Leaves and stems
editStems are smooth with narrow inversely lanceolate 1 to 6 inches (2.5 to 15.2 cm) leaves.[1]: 165
Inflorescence and fruit
editIt blooms from April to July.[1]: 165 Dense clusters of tubular, two lipped, 1 to 6 inches (2.5 to 15.2 cm) long, blue to lavender-blue flowers are on elongations of the stem stalks.[1]: 165
Fruits are woody capsules.[1]: 165
Habitat and range
editIt can be found in blackbrush scrub, pinyon juniper woodland, and mountain bush communities to 7,200 feet (2,200 m) in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah.[1]: 165
Ecological and human interactions
edit"Cyan" + "caul" means "blue" + "stem", referring to the stem color.[1]: 165