Day 260: Rock Penstemon is one of the more common wildflowers you'll find in the subalpine areas of Mount Rainier National Park. It has a propensity for growing in rock crevices, blurting out mats of its vivid pink color on vertical grey faces. There are a number of different varieties of Penstemon, and only a few have the rounded leaf shape this species exhibits. Some are tall with flowers emerging at almost every axil while others are small and lay close to the ground. Some form tufts of flowers at the ends of their stalks while others rise on single stems. Friends often respond with disbelief after I've pointed out several distinctly different plants, calling them each "Penstemon" in turn, but yes, there is quite a bit of diversity in this beautiful, showy species.
No comments:
Post a Comment