Penstamons are elegant, semi-evergreen perennials,
valued for their spires of tubular foxglove-like flowers, in white and
shades of pink, red and purple, held above lance shaped leaves. There
are a number cultivars which are popular in the gardens, 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. The staminode takes a variety of forms
in the different species; while typically a long straight filament
extending to the mouth of the corolla, some are longer and extremely
hairy, giving the general appearance of an open mouth with a fuzzy
tongue protruding and inspiring the common name beard-tongue.
Penstemons are cultivated in colder parts of India. You are likely to
find them in the hill stations of India in summers.
Identification credit: Tabish
Photographed in cultivation.
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The flower labeled Penstemon Cultivars is ...