Desert Penstemon
Penstemon pseudospectabilis
Color: Reddish pink
Common name: Desert Penstemon
Latin name: Penstemon pseudospectabilis
Family: SCROPHULARIACEAE
Height: 12-40 inches
Description: The plant is generally a shrub with many erect stems. The inflorescence bears tubular flowers with expanded, lobed mouths and glandular hairs on most surfaces, except the hairless sterile stamen. The flower may be up to 2.5 centimeters long.
Leaf: The thin leaves are roughly oval with wide pointed tips and serrated edges. They are arranged oppositely in pairs and many pairs are completely fused at the bases about the stem, forming a disc.
Range: s Desert Mountains, ne Sonoran Desert
Habitat: Gravelly or rocky desert washes, canyon floors, in creosote-bush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 100–1400 m.
Flowering time: Mar–May
Notes: Penstemon pseudospectabilis is a dicot that is native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. Horticulture: Given excellent drainage (modification of compacted or other water-holding soils may be necessary), absence of frequent summer water (distance from water-loving plants), and full or nearly full sun (tolerates summer afternoon sun), grows in zones 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. Difficult; needs special care in all zones; has complex requirements. This photo was taken on April 22, 2004 in Stoddard Valley outside Victorville, San Bernardino, California.
We have an online wildflower field guide that is designed to help you identify desert wildflowers by color, scientific name, region and common name. The pictures are sized to work on the iPod, iPhone, iPad and similar devices. With your iPod or phone you will easily be able to identify wildflowers while in the desert. Links for downloads are on the bottom of the Wildflower Field Guide page.
Photo tips: Most digital point-and-shoot cameras have a macro function - usually symbolized by the icon of a little flower. When you turn on that function, you allow your camera to get closer to the subject, looking into a flower for example. Or getting up close and personal with a bug. More on desert photography.
Mojave Desert Wildflowers - This book is the standard by which all other wildflower books are measured. The author, Jon Mark Stewart, has combined super photography with concise information. This book has an entire color page for each wildflower covered, with a discussion of the wildflower. 210 pages with 200 color photos. More...
What's Blooming Now - Check the Wildflower Reports
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