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Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)

Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) | Wildflowers and Herbs plant group | Also known as Foxglove penstemon, Smooth white beardtongue
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Penstemon means five stamens in Greek. Four of the stamens are fertile (make pollen) and one is sterile. The common name of beard tongue comes from the tuft of hairs on the sterile stamen resembling a beard.

Identification Hints

Find P. digitalis in sunny location to partial shade in moist areas, prairies or open woodlands. Its erect, 2-5 ft. stems are topped with stalked clusters of white, tubular, unevenly five-lobed flowers. Blooms between May and July.  Foliage can be semi-evergreen in the South.  

Did You Know?

The tuft of hairs on the anthers may be important in pollination of Foxglove. The hairs rub against the backs of bees and other insect pollinators that visit the plant and cause the anthers to bend in such a way as to deposit pollen on the backs of the insects.

Distribution in the US
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