Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s): Penstemon cobaea ssp. purpureus, Penstemon cobaea ssp. typicus, Penstemon cobaea var. purpureus
USDA Symbol: PECO4
When in bloom, large, tubular flowers line at least half of cobaea beardtongue’s 1-2 ft. stems. The flowers are white with dark purple lines inside the floral tube. One to three stout stems rise from a woody rhizome and bear thick, paired leaves which become smaller up the stem. The lower leaves have often withered by the time of flowering.
This penstemon attracts a variety of moths.
From the Image Gallery
Plant CharacteristicsDuration: Perennial
Size Notes: 1-2 feet.
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom InformationBloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Apr , May
DistributionUSA: AR , AZ , CO , IA , IL , KS , MO , NE , NM , OH , OK , TX
Native Distribution: S. NE, s. to s.c. MO, w. AR, OK & e. & c. TX
Native Habitat: Sandy or rocky, open hillsides; limestone outcrops, Loamy soils of Texas across the Rolling Plains and Blackland Prairies south to the Gulf of Mexico.
Growing ConditionsWater Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Calcareous or sandy loam. Rocky, Sandy, Limestone-based, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam Clay
Conditions Comments: Wild foxglove is not related to the true European foxglove. Showy tubular flowers may vary in color from almost white to dark pink to lavender. Cut back the stems after flowering, or wait for the seeds to ripen. This penstemon may go dormant during the summer.
BenefitUse Ornamental: Showy, Long-blooming, Blooms ornamental, Perennial garden
Use Wildlife: This penstemon attracts a variety of moths. Nectar-insects, Cover
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies , Hummingbirds
Larval Host: Dotted Checkerspot butterfly
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Minimal
Value to Beneficial InsectsSpecial Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees
Herbarium Specimen(s)NPSOT 0754 Collected Apr 16, 1994 in Comal County by Mary Beth White
BibliographyBibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.