Bluestem penstemon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bluestem penstemon |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Penstemon
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| Species: |
cyanocaulis
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The Bluestem Penstemon (scientific name: Penstemon cyanocaulis) is also known as the bluestem beardtongue. It's a type of plant that lives for many years (a perennial). This plant belongs to the plantain family, called Plantaginaceae. You can find this pretty plant growing in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region in the southwestern United States.
Contents
What Does the Bluestem Penstemon Look Like?
This plant grows to be about 10 to 22 inches (25 to 56 cm) tall. Its stems are smooth. The leaves are long and narrow, shaped like a spearhead. They can be 1 to 6 inches (2.5 to 15 cm) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The Bluestem Penstemon blooms from April to July. Its flowers grow in thick bunches on the plant's stalks. These flowers are blue to lavender-blue. They are shaped like tubes and have two "lips." Each flower is about 1 to 6 inches (2.5 to 15 cm) long. After the flowers, the plant produces fruits. These fruits are hard, woody capsules.
Where Does the Bluestem Penstemon Grow?
You can find the Bluestem Penstemon in different types of natural areas. It grows in places with blackbrush scrub plants. It also lives in pinyon juniper woodlands. Sometimes, it grows in mountain bush communities. This plant can be found at elevations up to 7,200 feet (2,195 meters). It grows in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah.
Cool Facts About This Plant
The name "cyanocaulis" comes from two Greek words. "Cyan" means "blue," and "caul" means "stem." So, the plant's name means "blue stem," which describes its stem color. This plant is important for nature. It is pollinated by bees and other insects. This helps the plant make seeds and grow new plants.
