Davidson's penstemon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Davidson's penstemon |
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| P. davidsonii var. menziesii, Olympic National Park, Washington | |
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Penstemon
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| Species: |
davidsonii
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Penstemon davidsonii is a type of beautiful wild flower often called Davidson's penstemon. It was named after a geographer, Dr. George Davidson. This plant grows naturally in western North America. You can find it in places like the Sierra Nevada mountains in California and Nevada. It also grows along the Coast and Cascade Range mountains in Oregon, Washington, and even up into British Columbia, Canada.
What is Davidson's Penstemon Like?
Davidson's penstemon is a small plant that grows close to the ground. It's a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It can grow up to about 10 centimeters (4 inches) tall. Its leaves are thick and firm, usually about 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) long. The edges of the leaves can be smooth or have tiny teeth.
The flowers of this plant are shaped like tubes and are quite big compared to the plant's small size. They are usually a pretty blue-lavender or purple color.
Different Kinds of Davidson's Penstemon
Just like there can be different types of apples, there are also different types, or varieties, of Davidson's penstemon. These varieties are slightly different from each other, often because they grow in different areas or have small differences in their appearance.
Here are some of the known varieties:
- P. davidsonii var. davidsonii – This is the main type, also called Davidson's penstemon.
- P. davidsonii var. menziesii (D.D. Keck) Cronquist – This variety is named after Archibald Menzies and is called Menzies' penstemon.
- P. davidsonii var. praeteritus Cronquist – This one is known as timberline beardtongue.
