Description: This native perennial plant is about
1-3' tall and unbranched, except for a few flowering stems near the apex. The
central stem may have fine
white hairs, otherwise it is glabrous. The opposite
leaves are up to 5" long and 2" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the
stem. They are cordate or lanceolate, devoid of hairs, and have widely spaced
sharp teeth. These leaves are sessile, or clasp the stem. A panicle of flowers
occurs at the apex of the central stem, and smaller panicles of flowers may
occur on upper side stems. The stems of each inflorescence (peduncles and
pedicels) are usually covered with fine white hairs. Each tubular flower is
about 1" long, with 2 upper lobes and 3 lower lobes; the lower lobes do not
project outward any further than the upper lobes. On the outer surface, the
corolla is light violet or purple and covered with conspicuous hairs, while the
inner surface is white. The lower inner surface of the corolla is smooth and
lacks ridges. The dark anthers within the corolla are hairless. The calyx of
this penstemon is divided into rather long lanceolate segments with pointed
tips that are about 1/3" long. The blooming period occurs during late spring or
early summer and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent. The flowers are
replaced by capsules containing numerous seeds. These small seeds can be
carried several feet by gusts of wind. The root system consists of a taproot.
The flowering stalk tends to die down after the blooming period.
Cultivation: The preference is
partial sun, rich loamy soil, and mesic conditions. Long-Sepaled Penstemon also
tolerates full sun if there is adequate moisture. Like other penstemons, it
rarely has problems with disease.
Range &
Habitat: Long-Sepaled Penstemon occurs occasionally in eastern and
southern Illinois, but it is rare or absent in northwestern areas of the state
(see
Distribution
Map). Habitats include mesic open woodlands, woodland borders, oak
savannas, moist meadows within woodlands, pastures, and small black soil
prairies in pioneer cemeteries. This plant doesn't stray far from woodland
areas, but may occur along the edges of prairie. It appears to thrive in areas
with a moderate level of disturbance (whether from natural or human-related
causes), as this reduces competing vegetation.
Faunal Associations: Long-tongued bees are the most
important pollinators of the flowers, including honeybees, bumblebees,
Anthophorine bees, Miner bees, Mason bees, and large Leaf-Cutting bees, which
seek nectar primarily. Less important visitors include Halictid bees, Sphinx
moths, and hummingbirds. The caterpillars of the moth Elaphria
chalcedonia (Chalcedony Midget) may feed on the foliage of this penstemon.
The seeds are too small to be of much interest to birds. The foliage of
penstemons is not a preferred food source for most mammalian
herbivores.
Photographic Location:
The photographs were taken near Kickapoo State Park in Vermillion County,
Illinois, at the edge of a pioneer cemetery in a woodland area.
Comments: This penstemon has reasonably attractive
flowers, and should be cultivated in wildflower gardens more often.
Long-Sepaled Penstemon resembles Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove
Penstemon) somewhat, but it is usually a little smaller and has light violet or
purple flowers, while Foxglove Penstemon has white flowers that are at most
tinged with violet. Long-Sepaled Penstemon also has longer sepals, and its
anthers lack small tufts of white hair, unlike the latter species. Other
features to consider while identifying a penstemon species include the presence
or absence of ridges on the lower inner surface of the corolla, and the
presence or absence of hairs on the leaves.