Sharpsepal beardtongue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sharpsepal beardtongue |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Penstemon
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| Species: |
tenuis
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Penstemon tenuis, also called the sharpsepal beardtongue, is a beautiful flowering plant. It is part of the plantain family. This plant is special because it only grows in certain parts of the United States. It likes open, wet areas with rich, soft soil.
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What is Sharpsepal Beardtongue?
The sharpsepal beardtongue is a type of plant that lives for many years. It has tall, thin stems that can grow up to about 3 feet (1 meter) high. Its leaves are long and narrow, shaped like a spear. They grow opposite each other on the stem.
Where Does it Grow?
This plant is found only in a few states in the United States. You can find it in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. It prefers to grow in damp, open spots. It especially likes areas with alluvial soil, which is soil left behind by rivers or floods.
What Does it Look Like?
The leaves of the sharpsepal beardtongue can be up to 4.75 inches (12 cm) long. They are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. The tips of the leaves are pointed. Some leaves have small teeth along their edges, while others are smooth. The lower leaves attach directly to the stem without a stalk. The upper leaves are joined together around the stem.
The flowers grow in clusters at the top of the stems. They are shaped like bells and can be pink or light purple. The inside of the flowers is white. Each flower is about 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) wide and a little longer. They have two main parts, like lips. The top lip has two parts that stand up. The bottom lip has three round parts.
When Does it Bloom?
The sharpsepal beardtongue starts to show its pretty flowers in early April. It continues to bloom through early June. This makes spring and early summer a great time to spot these plants.
