Pronounced (approximate): PEN-steh-mon her-SOO-tus
Narrow lavender flower tubes end in pale, partly closed lips. Stems are conspicuously hairy.
Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus): field photograph. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Plantaginaceae
Life cycle Perennial
Blooms May–July
Height 1 to 2 feet
Habitat Dry open woods, sandy prairies and rocky slopes
Common names: Hairy Beardtongue
Bloom timing varies with latitude, weather and local conditions.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Dry open woods, sandy prairies and rocky slopes. Flowering season: May–July.
Compare flower openings and stem hairs with Pale and Foxglove Beardtongues; their flowers are usually less distinctly lavender.
Narrow lavender flower tubes end in pale, partly closed lips.
Stems are conspicuously hairy.
Opposite toothed leaves occur below the loose flower clusters. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
10 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Native to North America.
Reported U.S. distribution
CT, DC, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV
Includes native and introduced state records where listed; a state record does not imply occurrence in every county.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Hairy Beardtongue in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.