BLUE BEARD-TONGUE 



Pentstemon procerus Dougl. 



FIOWORT FAMILY 



The Penstemons liold an important place in the flora of 

 \\Vst, TII America. Dr. Rydberg describes ninety-seven species 

 of which at least a score are found in Canada. They are perennial 

 herbs found for the most part on dry plains and hillsides. Their 

 stems, which branch from the base only, hear opposite leaves 

 and terminal clusters of showy blue, purple, yellow, or white 

 Mowers. The corolla is irregular with a long tube and two spread- 

 ing lips. Four stamens are anther-bearing, but the fifth is sterile 

 and usually densely hairy, giving to the plant its curious but 

 appropriate name of Beard-tongue. 



This parl ieular species the Blue Beard-tongue is character- 

 istic of the southern part of our territory but strays northward 

 in places. The clustered stems are 'from four to twelve inches 

 hijrh and usually quite smooth as are also the leaves. The crowded 

 Mowers are smaller than those of most beard-tongues and are 

 dark purplish-blue of such a distinctive shade that once seen, 

 it thereafter serves as a means of indentification. 



Color, however, is not always constant enough to be a safe 

 guide. Blue and purple flowers are especially subject to variation, 

 and among such plants as the bluebells, blue asters, bergamots, 

 and great willow-herb, lighter shades than normal are common, 

 and even albinos may occasionally be found. Delicate shades 

 of pink and mauve are quite inconstant, and the brilliant pink. 

 rose, or red of the painted cup seems to change with each variation 

 of soil or exposure. Yellow is much more stable, and. although 

 we have many yellow-flowered plants, each has its own particular 

 tone, or its own particular way of bearing its Mowers, even its 

 own way of forming groups or masses. Hence, by means of the 

 colcr and the disposition of the color masses, a close observer 

 can usually recognize a plant while he is still too far away to dis- 

 tinguish the form of either flower or leaf. Vet even the yellows 

 will sometimes prove misleading. 



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