Davidson's Penstemon

Penstemon davidsonii

aka Beardtongue. Forming a canvas of color on rocky surfaces the Davidson’s Penstemon is spectacular. Its dense mats produce hundreds of relatively large, 1″ – 1.5″ (2.5 – 4 cm) long, trumpet-shaped flowers which range in color from blue-lavender to purple-lavender to occasionally pinkish hues. Uncommon, found rocky slopes and flats and trail retaining walls above 6,500′ elevation.

Family:

Plantaginaceae - PLANTAIN FAMILY

Genus:

Penstemon from Greek pente 'five' and stemon 'thread' ref. to 5 stamens

Species:

davidsonii after Dr. George Davidson, collector of western plants

Photo location: Along the Soughdough Ridge trail heading toward Frozen Lake is an excellent place to see this plant. The last four photos are along the Stevens Canyon Road (there is a possibility this may be Shrubby Penstemon, P. fruticosus, but the photos don’t provide a definitive ID).

Penstemon davidsonii