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| ## large beardtongue {#large-beardtongue .Title-Header}               |
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| *Penstemon grandiflorus* Nutt.                                        |
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| Plant Symbol = PEGR7                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

# Alternative Names

large-flowered beardtongue, showy beardtongue, pink beardtongue,
shell-leaf penstemon, shell-leaf beardtongue, wild foxglove, Canterbury
bells

# 

# Uses

*Ethnobotanic*: Native Americans treated toothache by chewing the root
pulp of plants in this genus and placing it in the cavity (Runkel &
Roosa 1989). The Navajo applied a wet dressing of pounded leaves of
large beardtongue to rattlesnake bites; they considered this an absolute
antidote (Ibid.). A decoction of the leaves has been used in the
treatment of chills and fevers (Moerman 1998).

# 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.![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.7916666666666665in" height="4.749305555555556in"}

# Description

*General*: Snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae). Large beardtongue is a
native perennial that grows up to four feet tall. The leaves are
opposite, simple, ovate to oblong, thick and fleshy; bluish-green with a
waxy blue sheen and clasping at the base. The large two inch, pale
purple flowers are five lobed and short lived (Runkel & Roosa 1989). The
fruits are woody, egg shaped capsules that contain numerous small,
angular, brown seeds (Freeman & Schofield 1991).

*Distribution*: Large beardtongue ranges from Wyoming to Texas, east to
Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma (Steyermark 1963). For
current distribution, please consult the Plant profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Web site.

# Adaptation 

*Penstemon grandiflorus* is commonly found in prairies, often in sandy
or loamy soils. This plant prefers acid, neutral and alkaline soils and
requires well-drained soils. It grows well when planted in open dry
situations (Steyermark 1963), and can grow in semi-shade or no shade.

# Establishment

*Propagation by Seed*: *Penstemon grandiflorus* seeds are best sown in
the fall or spring in a greenhouse (Heuser 1997). The seeds should
germinate within one to four months (Ibid.). When the seedlings are
large enough to handle, place them into individual pots and plant them
out in their permanent positions in the late spring.

# Management

Stem tip cuttings should be taken from the tips of healthy,
non-flowering, semi-mature or mature shoots, between early summer and
fall (Heuser 1997). Shoots can be cut into a number of usable sections
at almost any time during the growing period (Ibid.).

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

Somewhat available through native plant seed vendors in the Great Plains
region. 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

Freeman, C.C & E.K. Schofield. 1991. *Roadside wildflowers of the
southern Great Plains*. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.

Heuser, C.W. 1997. *The complete book of plant propagation*. The Taunton
Press, Newtown, Connecticut.

Huxley, A. 1992. *The new RHS dictionary of gardening*. MacMillan Press,
New York, New York.

Ladd, D. 1995. *Tallgrass prairie wildflowers*: *a falcon field guide*.
Falcon Press Publishing Company, Helena, Montana.

Moerman, D. 1998. *Native American ethnobotany*. Timber Press, Portland,
Oregon.

Owensby, C.E. 1980. *Kansas prairie wildflowers*. Iowa State University
Press, Ames, Iowa.

Runkel, S.T. & D.M. Roosa 1989. *Wildflowers of the tallgrass prairie:
the upper Midwest*. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa.

Stamen, T.R. & W.S. Myers 1937. *Oklahoma flora*. Harlow Publishing Co.,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Steyermark, J.A. 1963. *Flora of Missouri*. The Iowa State University
Press, Ames, Iowa.

The Great Plains Flora Association 1986. *Flora of the Great Plains*.
University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.

# Prepared By

#### *Jammie Favorite*

formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

# Baton Rouge, Louisiana

# Species Coordinator

*M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Plant Sciences Dept., Davis,
California

Edited: 19jun02 jsp; 29may03 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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large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
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