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Scrophulariaceae Family

Penstemon comes from two Greek words, penta meaning "five" and stemon meaning "stamen". Digitalis is named after the word meaning "finger-shaped", after the shape of corolla.

Can grow to 3 feet with pale pink flowers on a tall stem. Toothed leaves are in pairs on the stem. Prefers fields, prairies and open woods. Blooms from May to July.

The Penstemon genus is one of the most difficult to classify; many species are seen to be different only by very close examination and magnification. There are 10 species east of the Mississippi River and while more than 200 species are found in the west and south. There are at least 8 species throughout our area in the north-central US.

Some Native Americans used the plants of the Penstemon genus to treat chills and fever. They also chewed the root to a pulp and placed it in a cavity to relieve toothache pain.