Penstemon eatonii – “Firecracker Penstemon”

Also Known As: Scarlet Bugler
Family: Figwort (Scrophulariaceae)
Bloom Period: Jun-Jul
Form: Perennial herb
Habitat: Rocky slopes, roadsides
Leaves: Widely lanceolate to ovate; opposite
Translation: “Penstemon” is Greek for “fifth stamen,” which refers to the conspicuous hairiness of the lowermost of the five stamens (and which is the feature responsible for the common name “beardtongue” for some of the species in the genus); “eatonii” is named for Professor Daniel Cady Eaton (1834-1895), a Yale botanist and student of ferns.
Native American Uses: The Kayenta used the plant to treat spider bites and snake bites, for backaches, and as an emetic (vomit inducer). The Shoshone treated burns with a decoction of the whole plant. The Hopi associated the plant with East and used it ceremonially. They also observed it as an agricultural indicator, the onset of flowering meant that watermelon planting season was over.
Animal Associations: Firecracker Penstemon not only favors hummingbirds, it discourages other pollinators: The color red is visible to birds but not most insects and the long narrow tubes, which are perfect for the long beak of the hummingbird, don’t provide any landing space for bees or butterflies.