Also called: Beardtongue

Penstemon richardsonii
Gr. pente, 5; stemon, a stamen (flowers have 5 stamens, one of them sterile and usually longer than the other 4)

Description. This shrubby native perennial, growing to 40cm (16”) high and wider, can be found in a variety of places in the park. In the spring you will find it hanging on the sides of the road cut-banks, clinging to scree slopes or nestled into the semi-shade of trees. Richardson’s Penstemon will be smothered with tubular blue-purple blooms, sometimes with pink or white markings at the tips of the petals.

Historical plant use. The plant was used as a tonic and stomach remedy.