Penstemon multiflorus (Benth.) Chapm. ex Small

Many Flower Beardtongue

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Many Flower Beardtongue is a native herbaceous perennial in the Plantain family (Plantaginaceae). It occurs in a few counties in the southern part of the state. Many Flower Beardtongue grows in dry sandy pinewoods, in sandhills, in well-drained upland mixed pine and hardwood forests, and in disturbed sites. It is a perennial with a fibrous root system. Plants produce a basal rosette of glabrous, elliptical to lanceolate leaves with entire margins. One or more flowering stems emerges from each basal rosette. Many Flower Beardtongue is the largest of out Beardtongues, with flowering stems often reaching 3-5 feet in height. The glabrous flowering stems are angled and winged with pairs of opposite, sessile leaves that clasp the stem. The leaves are reduced in size upwards, elliptic to oblanceolate in outline, glabrous, with entire or undulate margins. The flowering stem is unbranched below the inflorescence. The inflorescence is a terminal panicle. Flowers are tubular and inflated with an open “mouth”. The corolla is 2-lipped, with the upper lip 2 lobed and the lower lip 3 lobed. The corolla is white or pale lavender in color and glandular pubescent on the exterior. The fruit is a capsule. Many Flower Beardtongue grows best in dry, sandy soils in full sun. It can be used along the back border of a perennial bed. Plants and seed are available from some wildflower nurseries, and plants can also be grown from cuttings. Older clumps can be dug and divided in the autumn. Many Flower Beardtongue flowers attract many bee species, and it is the larval host for the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton). Many Flower Beardtongue is listed as a S1 species in Alabama (typically 5 or fewer occurrences, very few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or some factor of its biology making it especially vulnerable in the state).--A. Diamond

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Native S1 (State Rank) G4 (Global Rank)

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