Hotrock penstemon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hotrock penstemon |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus: | Penstemon |
| Species: |
P. deustus
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| Binomial name | |
| Penstemon deustus |
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Penstemon deustus, also known as hotrock penstemon or scabland penstemon, is a type of penstemon plant. It is a wild flower that grows year after year, meaning it doesn't die after one season. This plant is known for its pretty cream-colored flowers and its ability to grow in tough places.
About Hotrock Penstemon
Hotrock penstemon is a plant that comes back every year. It grows from the ground with stems that stand up straight. These stems can reach about 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall.
What It Looks Like
The leaves of the hotrock penstemon are thick. They can be shaped like a spear, an oval, or even round. The edges of the leaves have sharp teeth. Most of these leaves grow close to the ground on the plant.
The plant produces many flowers on a stem, which is called an inflorescence. Each flower looks like a tube. It has a mouth with five parts, like lips. These flowers are usually a creamy color with dark lines inside. Each flower is about 1.5 centimeters (about half an inch) long.
Where It Grows
You can find hotrock penstemon in many parts of the northwestern United States. It grows from the Pacific Northwest all the way to Wyoming. This plant likes to live in different kinds of forests and open, flat areas called plateaus. It often grows in soil that has a lot of volcanic rock or on limestone rocks.
Why It's Important
Hotrock penstemon is a useful plant. People use it to help bring life back to wild areas that have been disturbed. This is called revegetation. It is also used in landscaping projects in its home region.
This plant is popular because it does not need much water to grow. Its many flowers also attract different kinds of pollinators. These helpful insects include honey bees, bumblebees, sweat bees, and leafcutter bees. Pollinators help plants make seeds and grow new plants.
 | Valerie Thomas |
 | Frederick McKinley Jones |
 | George Edward Alcorn Jr. |
 | Thomas Mensah |
