Golden-beard penstemon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golden-beard penstemon |
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The Penstemon barbatus, often called the golden-beard penstemon or beardlip penstemon, is a lovely flowering plant. It grows naturally in the western United States. In places like New Mexico and southern Colorado, where people speak Spanish, it is known as varita de San Jose – which means "St. Joseph's staff."
This plant has tall spikes of bright red, tube-shaped flowers. These flowers have tiny yellow hairs on their lower lip. They are very attractive to hummingbirds, which love to visit them for their sweet nectar. People often plant Penstemon barbatus in their gardens, including those designed to save water, called Xeriscape gardens. There are also many different types of this plant, called cultivars, that come in various colors.
A Hummingbird Favorite
The Penstemon barbatus flowers bloom in late summer. This timing is perfect because it happens when Rufous hummingbirds are flying south for the winter. These hummingbirds use the bright red flowers as "filling stations" to get energy for their long journey. It's like a rest stop where they can refuel before continuing their trip!
Traditional Uses
Long ago, the Zuni people, a Native American tribe, used parts of this plant. They would chew the root of a certain type of Penstemon barbatus. Then, they would rub it on their rabbit sticks. They believed this would help them have good luck when hunting.
