Pale Beardtongue (Penstemon pallidus)

from $3.50

Pale Beardtongue flowers attract a number of native bees, especially long-tongued bees, little carpenter bees, and mason bees, including the specialist mason bee Osmia distincta (illinoiswildflower.info). It is the host plant to the Common Buckeye, Baltimore Checkerspot, and 11 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org), including the threatened Saunders’ Sallow Moth (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). It seems as though most mammalian herbivores avoid eating the foliage of these plants (illinoiswildflower.info). Pale Beardtongue is presumed extirpated in Michigan, though data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed (mnfi.anr.msu.edu).

Size:

Pale Beardtongue flowers attract a number of native bees, especially long-tongued bees, little carpenter bees, and mason bees, including the specialist mason bee Osmia distincta (illinoiswildflower.info). It is the host plant to the Common Buckeye, Baltimore Checkerspot, and 11 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org), including the threatened Saunders’ Sallow Moth (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). It seems as though most mammalian herbivores avoid eating the foliage of these plants (illinoiswildflower.info). Pale Beardtongue is presumed extirpated in Michigan, though data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed (mnfi.anr.msu.edu).

Life Cycle: Perennial  

Sun Exposure: Full-Partial

Soil Moisture: Medium-dry, Dry

Height: 12 inches

Plant Spacing:  6-12 inches

Bloom Time: May-July

Bloom Color: White

Advantages: Bird Favorite, Pollinator Favorite

Host: Common Buckeye, Baltimore Checkerspot, and 11 other species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org)

Species of Concern: State Status: Presumed extirpated (legally 'threatened' if rediscovered). State Rank: Presumed extirpated (mnfi.anr.msu.edu)

Specialist Bee: Mason Bee Osmia distincta

Beneficial for Endangered or Threatened Species: Saunders' Sallow Moth (Sympistis saundersiana) (mnfi.anr.msu.edu)

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