Flower:

Whorl-like clusters of 2 or more trumpet-shaped flowers on a short stalk arising from leaf axils in the upper plant. Flowers are white, up to ¾ inch long, the lower lip with 3 downward pointing lobes of similar size and shape, the upper lip erect and lobed in 2 parts only slightly smaller than the lower lobes. All lobes may be a bit wavy around the edges. Inside the tube are several reddish or purplish lines that act as nectar guides, 4 black-tipped stamens hugging the upper part of the tube, and a creamy style.

Leaves and stems:

Leaves are somewhat variable. Basal leaves are stalked, mostly toothless, hairless or somewhat hairy, narrowly spatula shaped to oblong, to 2½ inches long and ¼ to ½ inch wide, with a blunt or rounded tip. Leaves become stalkless and more lance-like up the stem, pointed at the tip and often with small teeth around the edges, oppositely attached. Stems are glandular-hairy near the flowers and more softly hairy near the base. A plant typically has 2 to 5 stems arising from the base.

Notes:

The flowers of White Penstemon are similar to Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) but the latter has much longer flower stalks arising from the leaf axils and is generally a larger plant, reaching heights of up to 5 feet. All Penstemon species were formerly in the Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) family, but are now in Plantaginaceae (Plantain).