Scrophulariaceae

Penstemon venustus

Elegant Penstemon

Large spreading shrub, no basal leaves. Leaves widest at middle section, stiff, sharply saw-toothed or rarely entire, sessile. Inflorescence hairless, 1 in. long, flowers upward-facing, attached along main stems with upright stalks. Flowers bright blue to lavender-blue, white hairs sometimes on floor of tube, white hairs on staminode just inside open flower. Grows in dry rocky slopes at high elevations. Sometimes naturalized from gardens in parts of our region. (Note: Pictured with many buds as plant is just coming into bloom.)

• Rarity: Locally Common
• Flowering Time: Mid Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 12--36 inches
• Habitat: East-Side Forest, Shrub-Steppe, Dry Rocky Sites
• Found In: Wallowas
• Native: Yes