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Bluestem penstemon facts for kids

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Bluestem penstemon
Bluestem Penstemon (9472105957).jpg
Scientific classification
Genus:
Penstemon
Species:
cyanocaulis
Bluestem Penstemon (Penstemon cyanocaulis)
Bluestem Penstemon (Penstemon cyanocaulis), Canyonlands National Park

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.

Description

Growth pattern

It is a perennial plant growing 10 to 22 inches (25 to 56 cm) tall.

Leaves and stems

Stems are smooth with narrow inversely lanceolate 1 to 6 inches (2.5 to 15.2 cm) leaves.

Inflorescence and fruit

It blooms from April to July. 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.

Fruits are woody capsules.

Habitat and range

It 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.

Ecological and human interactions

"Cyan" + "caul" means "blue" + "stem", referring to the stem color.

It is pollinated by bees and other insects.

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