Penstemon
Penstemon /ˈpɛnstɨmən/, the
beardtongues, is a large genus of North American and East Asian flowering plants formerly placed in the Scrophulariaceae family. Due to new genetic research, it has now been placed in the vastly expanded family Plantaginaceae. A prominent, often hairy, staminode is the most distinctive feature of this genus, as in this
Penstemon rupicola flower Golden-beard Penstemon
Penstemon bridgesii Bellflower Beardtongue
Penstemon confertus Talus Slope Penstemon Lowbush Penstemon Davidson's Penstemon Lilac Penstemon Hairy Beardtongue
Penstemon hirsutus pubescens Pineneedle Beardtongue Littleflower Penstemon Serrulate Penstemon Prairie-clover They have opposite leaves, partly tube-shaped, and two-lipped flowers and seed capsules. The most distinctive feature of the genus is the prominent staminode, an infertile stamen.