Penstemon brevisepalus Pennell

Scientific Nomenclature

Penstemon brevisepalus Pennell, commonly called short-sepal beardtongue, has an unusual growth habit: stems either grow outward a short distance before curving upward, or grow straight upward, reaching heights of 22 to 60 centimeters (8.5 to 23.5 inches).

Stem Characteristics

Stems are always covered in hairs, and never hairless; the hairs are either backward-facing glandular hairs, or a mix of glandular and villous long hairs.

Leaf Types

The species produces both basal leaves (growing directly from the plant base) and cauline leaves (attached to stems), though basal leaves often fade by the time the plant flowers.

Leaf Surface Pubescence

Leaf undersides are covered in sparse to dense hairs, while upper leaf surfaces range from sparsely hairy to hairless.

Basal Leaf Morphology

Basal leaves and the lowest stem leaves measure 2 to 9.5 cm (0.8 to 3.7 in) long and 1.1 to 2.8 cm (0.4 to 1.1 in) wide, and are shaped ovate, lanceolate, or oblanceolate with a tapering base.

Inflorescence Structure

The plant’s inflorescence grows 4 to 20 centimeters (1.6 to 7.9 in) tall, and holds 3 to 8 groups of flowers.

Flower Characteristics

The flowers are funnel-shaped, 1.5–2.4 cm (0.6–0.9 in) long, and pale lavender to purple in color with dark reddish purple nectar guides; they bloom in May or June.

Native Range

This species is native to southwestern Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

Habitat and Elevation

It grows in relatively dry, rocky oak-hickory forests, woodland edges, roadcuts, and along bluffs, at elevations from 200 meters (660 ft) up to 700 meters (2,300 ft).