Broadbeard Beardtongue

Scientific Name: Penstemon angustifolius Nutt. ex Pursh

Broadbeard Beardtongue

General Information
Usda Symbol	PEAN4
Group	Dicot
Life Cycle	Perennial
Growth Habits	Forb/herbSubshrub,
Native Locations	PEAN4

Plant Guide

Description

General: Broadbeard beardtongue is a native, perennial herb. It is 8 to 24 inches (20 to 60 cm) in height with ascending to erect stems that are somewhat woody at the base. Leaves are 0.79 to 3.75 inches (2 to 9.5 cm) long and 0.06 to 0.99 inches (1.5 to 25 mm) wide, leathery, narrow at the lower side while wide and attached to the base (lacking a stalk) at the upper side. The inflorescence consists of 7 to 17 whorls of flowers in bundles. The sepals are 0.16 to 0.30 inches (4 to 7.5 mm) long, smooth, with lance like or tapering lobes. The petals are 0.60 to 0.83 inches (15 to 21 mm) long, moderately enlarged, smooth internally and externally, pink, blue, lavender or blue lavender in color (Welsh et al., 1987). Flowers may bloom from April to June. Penstemons are commonly referred to as “beardtongues” due to their flower structural characteristics (Grant, 1999) and their five topmost stamens are often tipped with a little brush of hairs (Roberts & Roberts, 1967). The different subspecies (subsp.) grow in different regions (Nold, 1999), from the west-central Great Plains to more limited allopatric ranges (Freeman, 2019). Distribution: Broadbeard beardtongue is primarily found in the Great Plains, from eastern Montana and the Dakotas to Oklahoma, and East of the Rocky Mountains in Arizona and Utah (Strickler, 1997). The form predominantly found in Arizona, southern Utah and northwestern New Mexico at 3937 to 7218 feet (1200 to 2200 m) is subsp. venosus, growing on the high plains and being lavender to blue violet in color. The form found in Kansas, northern New Mexico and southeastern Colorado is subsp. caudatus, being blue in color. The form growing on sand dunes in central western Utah and at 4593 to 5413 feet (1400 to 1650 m) is subsp. dulcis, being pink to rose in color instead of blue. The form growing in northeastern Utah and Colorado at 4921 to 5906 feet (1500 to 1800 m) is subsp. vernalensis, being blue in color (Freeman, 2019; Kearney & Peebles, 1942; Welsh et al., 1987). For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. Habitat: Among plains in sandy sites and desert ecosystems, dependent on geographical location (Stevens et al., 2020). Prairies and high plains at altitudes of 2625 to 7546 feet (800 to 2,300 m) (Pennel, 1920) and sand dunes (Kearney et al., 1939).

Adaptation

Broadbeard beardtongue is adapted to sandy, neutral to alkaline soil with good drainage (Lindgren & Wilde, 2003). It is a cold and drought hardy plant that prefers full sun (Utah Native Plant Society, nd).

Uses

Broadbeard beardtongue is a drought tolerant forb that aids in wind erosion prevention on sandy dunes, grasslands and plains (Garner et al., 2000). Penstemon species are pioneer plants that can be useful for erosion control and land reclamation while most often found on sandy, well-drained and infertile soils. The seeds are used by birds, ants and rodents, but one of their most predominant uses is in ornamental horticulture (Meyer, 2008). Broadbeard beardtongue holds a special value to native bees and has been recognized to attract them by large numbers (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2014). Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Guide Broadbeard beardtongue by Gary A. Monroe, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database.

Ethnobotany

Broadbeard beardtongue roots have been used by Native Americans primarily for the creation of herbal medicines (Van Bruggen, 1976) to control pain and bleeding (Hogan, 2003). The Hopi Tribe used the plant for these purposes and named it “tci-eq-pi”, meaning snake plant (Kearney & Peebles, 1942). The Lakota Tribe used the flowers to create blue paint for moccasins (Rogers, 1980).

Status

Threatened or Endangered: No Please consult the PLANTS Web site (http://plants.usda.gov/) and your state’s Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g., threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Planting Guidelines

Broadbeard beardtongue seed is physiologically dormant and requires 8-12 weeks of cold, moist stratification for germination (Baskin and Baskin, 2003; Garner et al., 2000; Utah Native Plant Society, nd). Field plantings should be seeded at approximately 12 seed per foot in the fall for spring emergence (Garner et al., 2000).

Management

Broadbeard beardtongue is sensitive to root rot fungi. Avoid overwatering and limit irrigation of stands (Garner et al., 2000). In normal years with 8-10 inches of precipitation, no irrigation is necessary (Garner et al., 2000). Broadbeard beardtongue is palatable and intolerant of competition (Heidel & Vanderhorst, 1999; Utah Native Plant Society, nd). Defer grazing and control noxious weeds after establishment until seed is produced for a couple of years (Heidel & Vanderhorst, 1999). Plants may be mowed when dormant (Garner et al., 2000).

Pests and Potential Problems

Insects including the penstemon weevil, penstemon borer and penstemon clearwing can attack penstemon plant parts and seed production fields (Colorado State University Extension, 2014). The penstemon weevil has caused broadbeard population decline due to its attack on mature plants. It is dark brown, around 0.12 inches (3mm) in length and has been observed in southwestern Colorado (Colorado State University Extension, 2014). Eggs are laid in the spring in the plant’s crown and molt from pupae in the fall. Adults are rarely seen due to their nocturnal and underground habits (Hammon & Franklin, 2012).

Environmental Concerns

Concerns

Concerns

There are no known environmental concerns associated with broadbeard beardtongue, , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Broadbeard Beardtongue.

Seeds and Plant Production

Plant Production

Plant Production

For container plantings, the seeds should be planted in elongate containers to ensure proper root development (Utah Native Plant Society, nd; Meyer, 2008). Seedlings can be ready for out planting in three to four months and well-watered stock survival is usually high (Meyer, 2008). Plants both from direct seeding and outplanting usually flower the second year (Meyer, 2008). Seed capsules begin to open from 6 to 8 weeks after full flowering and are usually harvested by hand or by clipping the stalks into containers. Seed lots can be cleaned to high purity (>95%) with a barley debearder or hammermill followed by a fanning mill for processing (Meyer, 2008). Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) These plant materials are somewhat available from commercial sources. San Juan Germplasm broadbeard beardtongue (New Mexico) is a selected class release from the Los Lunas Plant Materials Center and the New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center in Los Lunas, New Mexico. San Juan is adapted to areas with annual precipitation of 6 to 10 inches and has a variety of purposes.

Literature Cited

Baskin, C. & Baskin J. (2002). Propagation protocol for production of container (plug) Penstemon angustifolius. USDA Forest Service, Native Plant Network. https://npn.rngr.net/renderNPNProtocolDetails?selectedProtocolIds=scrophulariaceae-penstemon- 1846&referer=wildflower Colorado State University Extension. (2014). Western Colorado Insects. CSUE. http://wci.colostate.edu/shtml/PenstemonPests.shtml Freeman, C. C. (2019). Flora of North America: Volume 17: Magnoliophyta: Tetrachondraceae to Orbobanchaceae. Oxford University Press. Garner, R. E., English, M. L., Jespersen, M. & Goodson, D. (2000). Notice Release: San Juan Germplasm Narrow Leaf Penstemon (Penstemon angustifolius). USDA.