Eaton Firecracker, Eaton Penstemon
Penstemon eatonii
Color: Red
Common name: Eaton Firecracker, Eaton's penstemon
Latin name: Penstemon eatonii
Family: SCROPHULARIACEAE
Height: 15–39 inches
Description: Penstemon eatonii is a perennial herb producing several sprawling to erect stems reaching one meter in maximum height. The inflorescence produces showy tubular flowers in shades of bright red, sometimes exceeding 3 centimeters in length. The flower is narrow and cylindrical, not spreading much at the mouth.
Leaf: The leaves are lance-shaped to oval, untoothed, and up to 9 centimeters in length.
Range: San Bernardino Mountains, Desert Mountains
Habitat: Dry sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland, yellow-pine forest
Elevation: 1500–2800 m
Flowering time: Feb-Jun
Notes: Penstemon eatonii is a dicot that is native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. This photo was taken on May 8, 2004 in the San Bernardino Mountains.
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.
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What's Blooming Now - Check the Wildflower Reports
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