Slender Beardtongue (Penstemon gracilis): purple Minnesota wildflowers

Slender Beardtongue

Plant Info
Also known as:	Lilac Penstemon, Slender Penstemon
Scientific name:	Penstemon gracilis
Family:	Figwort (Scrophulariaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun to part shade; prairies, open rocky woods
Bloom season:	late spring to early summer
Plant height:	12 to 18 inches
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park

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Flower:: Flowers are in groups of 2 or more on stems that arise from the leaf axils at the top of the plant, in a spike-like cluster. Each flower is tubular, pale violet on the outside and about ¾ inch long. There are 5 lobes; the upper 2 lobes are shortest and turn up, the lower 3 extend out and turn down. The inside of the tube is white at the center, with darker purple veins on the inside of the lobes, a fuzzy (bearded) orange “flap” down the center, and 5 yellow-tipped stamen that turn dark brown with maturity.
Leaves:: Leaves are narrow, to 3 inches long and 1/3 inch wide near the base of the plant, becoming progressively smaller as they ascend the stem. Leaves are widest at their base, taper to a pointed tip, have tiny teeth around the edges, and no leaf stem. Attachment is opposite.

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN June 2008

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?