Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language

Search
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Native Plant Society of Texas

White Wand Penstemon

Penstemon tubiflorus

Other common name(s):

White Wand Beardtongue

Family:

Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
1.5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Moist, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink, White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Bees, Butterflies

Maintenance

Uncommon in the wild and commercial nurseries, but may be found at NPSOT Plant Sales in Eastern Texas. Native habitat: prairies and moist woods. No other information available at this time.

Description

Blooms May-June. Clump forming. Narrow, lance-Shaped foliage (to 4″ long). Features loose, terminal clusters of white, trumpet-shaped flowers, atop erect, rigid stems. The fruit is a dry capsule that splits open when ripe.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Penstemon tubiflorus var. achoreus, Penstemon tubiflorus var. tubiflorus, Penstemon tubiflorus

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Clean the seeds by gently removing any chaff or husks. You can do this by shaking them in a fine sieve or manually picking out the debris. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place until ready to plant. Plant the seeds shallowly in a tray filled with a well-draining, sterile seed starting mix. Lightly press the seeds into the soil but do not cover them as they require light for germination. Ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Place the tray in a location that receives high indirect light and maintains a temperature roughly around 65-70°F (18-21°C). Keep the tray covered with clear plastic to conserve moisture and remove it once you see seedlings. Once the seedlings have developed at least two true leaves, carefully transplant them into individual pots or directly in the garden. Make sure to handle the root system gently to avoid damage. Collect seeds from mature white-wand beardtongue plants after the seed capsules have dried but before they have opened to release their seeds. It's preferable to gather seeds on a dry, sunny day to ensure they are not moist. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Penstemon_tubiflorus.html

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason