''Penstemon pseudospectabilis'' (desert beardtongue, or desert penstemon) a species of
penstemon. It's native to the southwestern United States, where it grows in desert and plateau habitat types, such as sandy
washes, scrub, and woodland. The plant is generally a
shrub
A shrub (often also called a bush) is a small-to-medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees ...
growing to one meter, with many erect stems. The thin leaves are oval with wide, pointed tips and serrated edges. They are arranged oppositely in pairs, many are completely fused at the bases about the stem, forming a disc. The
inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Morphologically, it is the modified part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed o ...
bears tubular flowers with expanded, lobed mouths and glandular hairs on most surfaces, except the hairless
staminode
In botany, a staminode is an often rudimentary, sterile or abortive stamen, which means that it does not produce pollen.Jackson, Benjamin, Daydon; ''A Glossary of Botanic Terms with their Derivation and Accent''; Published by Gerald Duckworth & Co. ...
. The flower grows to 2.5 centimeters and is reddish pink.
External links
Jepson Manual TreatmentPhoto gallery
pseudospectabilis
Flora of the Southwestern United States
{{Plantaginaceae-stub