Flower:

Flowers are in groups of 2 or more on stalks that arise from the leaf axils in the upper plant, in a spike-like cluster. Each flower is tubular, pale violet to purple 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 stamens that turn dark brown with maturity.

Leaves and stem:

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 stalk. Attachment is opposite.

Notes:

All Penstemon species were formerly in the Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) family, but are now in Plantaginaceae (Plantain).