Penstemon laetus is a species of penstemon known by the common names mountain blue penstemon and gay penstemon. It is native to the inland mountains of Oregon and California, where its distribution extends from the Klamath Mountains through the Sierra Nevada to the Transverse Ranges. It grows in forest, scrub, and other local mountain habitat. It is a perennial herb growing erect to about 75 centimeters tall, its base becoming woody. The leaves are linear to lance-shaped and up to 10 centimeters long. The glandular inflorescence bears blue or purple flowers up to 3.5 centimeters long.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Mountain Blue Penstemon being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Penstemon roezlii
- Penstemon azureus
- Penstemon heterophyllus
- Penstemon filiformis
- Penstemon parvulus
- Penstemon diphyllus
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus
- Penstemon
- Species
- Penstemon laetus
Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.
Check your photo