Cobaea Penstemon (Penstemon cobaea

MAY-JUNE

Cobaea Penstemon Penstemon cobaea Nutt.

(SNAPDRAGON FAMILY) Cobaea penstemon is an erect perennial 1-2 ft tall, finely pubescent throughout. The opposite leaves are sessile above and short-petioled below, ovate-elliptic or obovate, and sharply toothed. The inflorescence is raceme-like, arranged in few-flowered clusters in leaf axils with bracts interspersed. The light purple to purple corolla is tubular, trumpet-shaped, with 5 rounded lobes, and with dark purple striping within. As with other penstemons, it has a bearded staminode. The fruit is an ovoid capsule.