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| ## low beardtongue {#low-beardtongue .Title-Header}                   |
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| *Penstemon humilis* Nutt. ex Gray                                     |
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| Plant Symbol = PEHU                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Idaho State Office & National Plant Data
Center

### ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.442361111111111in" height="4.343055555555556in"}

# Alternate Names

Low beardtongue, *Penstemon* *humulis* ssp. *humilis*, *Penstemon
humilis* ssp. *obtusifolius*, *Penstemon humilis* ssp. *brevifolius*

# Uses

*Grazing/rangeland*: \'Cedar\' Palmer penstemon (*Penstemon palmeri*)
and \'Bandera\' Rocky Mountain penstemon (*Penstemon strictus*) are the
only released penstemons noted to have any forage value. \'Cedar\'
leaves stay green throughout the growing season providing some forage
value. All other varieties are

considered fair to poor palatability and considered to be only
incidental forage value. All species provide diversity to the seeded
plant community.

*Erosion control/reclamation*: All species are mentioned for their value
in mixes for erosion control and beautification values.

*Wildlife*: Penstemons are considered desirable forages for deer,
antelope, and birds either as herbage or seed. They may also provide
some cover for selected small bird species. They provide diversity to
the plant community.

# Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status
and wetland indicator values.

# Description

*General*: Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae). Penstemon or beardtongue
species are perennial forbs or sub-shrubs to shrubs with attractive
flowers. They are short to long-lived. Low beardtongue is recognized as
having three subspecies: *Penstemon* *humulis* ssp. *humilis*,
*Penstemon humilis* ssp. *obtusifolius*, and *Penstemon humilis* ssp.
*brevifolius*. Cronquist et al. (1984) provides a key to separating
these subspecies, plus provides a short discussion of their ranges and
characteristics.

Low penstemon is an herbaceous to woody subshrub perennial from 0.5 to
2.5 (sometimes 3.5) dm tall with well-developed basal leaves, usually
forming mats. Generally, penstemons have opposite, entire, or toothed
leaves. They have several stalked flowers or flower clusters that are
borne in the axils of the upper leaves or leaf-like bracts. The tubular
corolla is strongly to distinctly two-lipped at the mouth with a
two-lobed upper lip and a three-lobed lower lip. There are 4
anther-bearing (fertile) stamens and a single sterile stamen or
staminodia that is often hairy at the tip. The fruit is a many-seeded
capsule.

# Distribution

Low penstemon is found in the western U.S. from New Mexico to California
and north to Washington. Penstemons are common to the western United
States. Except for one minor species, the genus *Penstemon* does not
occur naturally outside of North America. For current distribution,
please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web
site.

# Establishment

*Adaptation*: Penstemons do best on well-drained soils. Most ecotypes do
well on infertile, disturbed soils. They have excellent cold winter and
drought tolerance. They will tolerate weakly saline to weakly acidic
sites. They are usually found in open areas, but will tolerate
semi-shaded conditions. They are not tolerant of fire, but are fire
resistant due to leaves staying green with relatively high moisture
content during the fire season. Low penstemon is found from sagebrush
valleys and pinyon-juniper woodlands to openings in montaine forests and
alpine tundra (Cronquist et al. 1984).

*Planting*: These species should be seeded with a drill or broadcast at
a depth of 1/4 inch or less into a firm seedbed. Ideal seeding depth is
1/8 inch. Penstemons are not recommended for single species seeding. The
full seeding rate (not recommended) for these forbs-shrubs is 1.5 to 3
pounds Pure Live Seed (PLS) per acre or 20 to 26 PLS per square foot
(varies somewhat by species). When used as a component of a mix, adjust
to percent of mix desired. For mined lands and other harsh critical
areas, doubling the seeding rate component of penstemon is not required.

The best seeding results are obtained from seeding in very early spring
(because of grass component of mix) on heavy to medium textured soils
and in late fall on medium to light textured soils. Late summer
(August - mid September) seeding is not recommended. Dormant fall
seedings (preferred seeding period for penstemons) will pre-chill seed
and reduce seed dormancy which is very strong in some species. Mulching,
irrigation and weed control all benefit stand establishment. Seedling
vigor is good, but not as good as most grasses. Germination may not
occur until the second growing season. Flowering should not be expected
until at least the second growing season.

Stands may require weed control measures during establishment. Because
penstemons are broadleaf, use of 2,4-D is not recommended. Mow weeds at
or prior to their bloom stage. Grasshoppers and other insects may also
damage new stands and pesticides may be needed.

# Management

Growth of penstemons begins in early spring and flowers appear in May
through July depending on species. Weed control and removal of very
competitive species may improve chance of establishment. Damage from
wildlife and rodents may occur and they may need to be controlled.
Disease problems are minimal except under irrigation. Under irrigation,
fusarium wilt can be a problem.

*Environmental Concerns*: Penstemon species establish and spread slowly
via seed distribution. They are not considered \"weedy\" or invasive
species, but can spread into adjoining vegetative communities under
ideal climatic and environmental conditions. They coexist with other
native species and add biodiversity to those plant communities.

# Seed Production

Penstemons should be seeded in at least 36-inch rows at the rate of 2.5
pounds PLS per acre to allow mechanical weed control. The use of weed
barrier material may be an alternative to allow closer spacing. They
should be seeded in late fall or early winter unless seed is stratified
under cool moist conditions. \"The Clearwater Selection\" of alpine
penstemon does not require stratification. Transplants by dividing the
base of older plants or from greenhouse starts can also be successfully
used to establish seed fields.

Seed is generally harvested by hand stripping or by combine. Seed is
mature when capsules are dry and seed is hard and dark in color.
Flowering is indeterminate with mature capsules and flowers present at
harvest period. Multiple harvest periods (by hand) may be necessary to
maximize seed collection. Some seed will shatter once capsules open, but
the capsule is upright and tends to hold seed very well. Seed can be
separated from the capsule by use of a hammer mill or barley debearder
followed by air screening. Cleaned seed should be allowed to dry and
then stored in a cool dry area. An after-ripening period of 3 to 4
months is required. Seed retains viability for several years under these
conditions.

# Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Foundation and registered seed is available for each variety through the
appropriate state Crop Improvement Association or commercial sources to
grow certified seed.

A number of penstemons are seeded primarily for soil stabilization on
depleted, disturbed, and erosive areas for erosion control and as
ornamentals. These include low penstemon (*Penstemon humilis*), Rydberg
penstemon *(Penstemon rydbergii*), and thickleaf penstemon (*Penstemon
pachyphyllus*). No cultivars releases are known to have have been made.
Please check the PLANTS database for the names of other native
penstemons in your state, then check with your area native plant
nurseries for their availability.

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

# References

Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, & P.K.
Holmgren 1984*. Intermountain flora. Volume Four. Subclass Asteridae
(except Asteraceae)*. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York.

Crosswhite, F.S. 1967. *Revision of Penstemon section Habroanthus
(Scrophulariaceae). I: Conspectus, II: series Speciosi, and III: series
Virgati*. American Midland Naturalist 77:1.41.

Holmgren, N.H. 1971. *A new species of Penstemon from Nye Co., Nevada*.
Aliso 7:351-356.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 1978a. *An overlooked new species of Penstemon
(Scropulariaceae from the Great Basin*. Brittonia 30:334-339.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 1978b. *Three new species of Penstemon
(Scrophulariaceae from the Intermountain region*. Brittonia 30:416-425.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 1979a. *Nomenclatural changes in some Intermountain
penstemons (Scrophulariaceae)*. Brittonia 31:104-107.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 1979b. *New penstemons (Scrophulariaceae) from the
Intermountain region*. Brittonia 31:217-242.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 1979c. *Subgeneric and sectional names for
Intermountain Penstemon (Scrophulariaceae)*. Brittonia 31:358-364.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 1980. *A new Penstemon (Scrophulariaceae) from
northwestern Arizona*. Brittonia 32:326-329.

Keck, D.D. 1932. *Studies in Penstemon. A systematic treatment of the
section Saccanthera*. Univ. Calif. Publication in Botany 16:367-426.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 1937a. *Studies in Penstemon IV. The section
Ericopsis*. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 64:357-381.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 1937b. *Studies in Penstemon V. The section
Peltanthera*. American Midland Naturalist 18:790-829.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 1938. *Studies in Penstemon VI. The section Autator*.
Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 65:233-255.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 1940. *Studies in Penstemon VII. The subsections
Gairdneriani, Deusti, and Arenarii of the Graciles, and miscellaneous
new species*. American Midland Naturalist 23:594-616.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 1945. *Studies in Penstemon-VIII. A cyto-taxonomic
account of the section Spermunculus*. American Midland Naturalist
33:128-206.

Pennell, F.W. 1920. *Penstemon*. IN: *Scrophulariaceae of the central
Rocky Mountain states*. Contributions U.S. Natl. Herbarium 20:325.381.

# Prepared By

## *Daniel G. Ogle*

USDA, NRCS, Idaho State Office, Boise, Idaho.

# *J. Scott Peterson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

# Species Coordinator

## *Daniel G. Ogle*

USDA, NRCS, Idaho State Office, Boise, Idaho.

Edited 05dec00 jsp; 11feb03 ahv; 060802 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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