Species PlantsPrairie Beardtongue

Prairie Beardtongue

Penstemon cobaea

UncommonPlant
Illustration of Prairie Beardtongue (Penstemon cobaea)

Prairie Beardtongue produces large, lavender to purple tubular flowers with white throats striped with purple lines that serve as nectar guides for pollinators. Native to dry limestone prairies and glades across the south-central United States, it grows 1–2 feet tall. This is one of the showiest penstemons in its region, often cultivated in rock gardens and native plantings. It is adapted to thin, rocky, alkaline soils where few other wildflowers thrive.

Habitat
Found on rocky limestone prairies, cedar glades, and dry hillsides in the south-central United States.
Diet
Provides nectar for bumblebees, carpenter bees, and hummingbirds.
How common
Uncommon

Recent Prairie Beardtongue sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Prairie Beardtongue? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.

Get Huck — free

More plants

Adam's Needle
Adam's Needle
Yucca filamentosa
Adonis Blazingstar
Adonis Blazingstar
Mentzelia multiflora
Allegheny Blackberry
Allegheny Blackberry
Rubus allegheniensis
Allegheny Monkeyflower
Allegheny Monkeyflower
Mimulus ringens
Allegheny Serviceberry
Allegheny Serviceberry
Amelanchier laevis
American Alumroot
American Alumroot
Heuchera americana
American Basswood
American Basswood
Tilia americana
American Beautyberry
American Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana