Penstemon subulatus, Hackberry Beardtongue, Southwest Desert Flora

Penstemon subulatus, Hackberry Beardtongue

Hackberry Beardtongue is a handsome species with scarlet red tubular flowers from paired leaf axils. Penstemon subulatus

Hackberry Beardtongue is a native perennial, one of only a handful of bright red Penstemon species in the southwestern United States. Hackberry Beardtongue blooms from February to May. Penstemon subulatus

Hackberry Beardtongue is found only in Arizona. It has several long erect stems producing beautiful deep red flowers. This species is not a commonly encountered Penstemon. Penstemon subulatus

Hackberry Beardtongue is found along stony hillsides, canyons and mesas. The plants are also attractive with their bluish-gray or bluish green foliage. Plants grow up to 3 feet or so. Penstemon subulatus

Scientific Name: Penstemon subulatus
Common Name: Hackberry Beardtongue
Also Called: Little Beardtongue
Family: Scrophulariaceae, Figwort or Snapdragon Family - Moving to Plantaginaceae
Synonyms: ()
Status: Native
Duration: Perennial
Size: Up to 3 feet or more.
Growth Form: Forb/herb; herbage glaucous; plants with erect multiple stems.
Leaves: Green, glaucous; cauline leaves paired, (opposite), linear-lanceolate.
Flower Color: Red, scarlet red; corolla glabrous throughout, corolla narrowly tubular.
Flowering Season: February to May.
Elevation: 1,500 to 4,500 feet.

Habitat Preferences: Stony hillsides, canyons and mesas.

Recorded Range: Penstemon subulatus is relatively rare in the United States where it is only found in Arizona. In Arizona it is found primarily the western ⅔ of the state with few or no records in La Paz and Pinal counties.

North America & US County Distribution Map for Penstemon subulatus.

U.S. Weed Information: No information available.
Invasive/Noxious Weed Information: No information available.
Wetland Indicator: No information available.
Threatened/Endangered Information: No information available.

Genus Information: In North America there are 250 species and 393 accepted taxa overall for Penstemon. World wide, The Plant List includes 301 accepted species names and includes a further 188 infraspecific rank for the genus.

In the Southwestern United States, Arizona there are 43 species of Penstemon, in California there are 55 species, Nevada has 50 species, New Mexico has 47 species, Texas has 24 species, Utah has 73 species. All data is approximate and subject to taxonomic changes.

Comments: Hackberry Beardtongue is not very common or found in large populations at one local. The type species is from Hackberry, Mohave County, Arizona. (Jones in 1903).