The Black Range

Wandbloom Penstemon - Penstemon virgatus virgatus
Carbonate Creek Canyon Black Range, NM, USA 
July 27, 2015
Photograph above and next two.

The flower is a Penstemon virgatus virgatus, Wandbloom Penstemon and it is typically found at slightly higher elevations.  English common names for Penstemon virgatus include; Wandbloom Penstemon, Blue Beardtongue, Upright Blue Beardtongue, Dark Blue Penstemon, Foothill Penstemon, Dark-blue Penstemon, One-side Penstemon, Tall Penstemon, and Upright Blue Penstemon.  It has no scientific synonyms.  There are two accepted varieties; P v. var. asa-grayi (Upland Blue Beardtongue) is found on the eastern slope of the Rockies in Colorado (and perhaps elsewhere), and P. v. virgatus (Upright Blue Beardtongue).

The Xerces Society recognizes this species as one of special value because it is a strong attractor for native bees.  It is also pollinated by Hummingbirds.  Pollen is transferred by the plant to the top side of the pollinator.

Penstemon virgatus was first described by Asa Gray.

Paul Vestal (1952) notes that this species was used as “life medicine” (a panacea) by the Ramah Navajo.  See p. 45 of “The Ethnobotany of the Ramah Navaho”, Papers of the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology 40(4):1-94.  Modern folk medicine claims that if the “fresh plant is ground and combined with vegetable oil and beeswax, to produce a salve... it is useful for skin irritations and as a lip balm.”