Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Penstemon angustifolius Nutt. ex Pursh

Herbaceous perennial with linear to lance-shaped leaves and clusters of white, blue, lilac to pink flowers.  To 30cm.  [RHSD, Hortus].  The flowers in the accompanying illustration from Loddiges’ Botanical Cabinet are bright red but seem to be otherwise accurately depicted.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This pretty plant is a native of Mexico, and we believe was first raised by Mr. Barclay.’  [LBC no.1420/1828].  Introduced to Britain in 1811.  [PD].  ‘Prairies, at altitudes of 800 to 2,300 meters; Subboreal, southward into Upper Sonoran Zone; flowering from mid-May to early July.  High plains, westward to base of foothills in eastern Wyoming and Colorado.  North Dakota and eastern Wyoming to southeastern Colorado; including subspecies to northern New Mexico.’  [Contributions from the United States National Herbarium vol. 20, p.361/1917-25].            

History at Camden Park

Desideratum to Loddiges’ Nursery, 6th January 1845.  [MP A2933-2 p.28].  There is no record of receipt.

Notes

Published Sep 24, 2009 - 03:04 PM | Last updated Feb 18, 2010 - 05:19 PM

Illustrated are lance-shaped leaves and narrowly-tubular pinkish flowers.  Loddiges Botanical Cabinet no.1420, 1828.

Penstemon angustifolius Nutt. ex Pursh | LBC no.1420/1828 | RBGS

Family Scrophulariaceae
Category
Region of origin

Central North America, northern Mexico

Synonyms
  • Penstemon caeruleus Nutt.
  • Chelone angustifolia Steud.
  • Chelone caerulea Spreng.
Common Name

Broadbeard beardtongue, Narrowleaf penstemon

Name in the Camden Park Record

Penstemon angustifolium 

Confidence level high