Flowers in opposite pairs in leaf axils; 4 stamens, 1 staminode. Cultivated. Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, Orange County, CA. 5-02-09. © Joan Avise

Scarlet Bugler

Penstemon centranthifolius

Found in rocky, sandy alluvial environments away from the coast (Clarke) in the Santa Ana Mountains in openings of chaparral (Roberts). Commonly cultivated in native plant gardens. Hummingbird pollinated as suggested by the bright red color and long tubular corolla. Small bees have access to the nectar and anthers for pollen collection, but the floral tube is too narrow for honeybees or larger bees to reach the nectar. 

Plantaginaceae

Back to Plantaginaceae of Orange County, California
Back to Eudicots of Orange County, California
Back to Natural History of Orange County, California

Five-lobed cup-shaped calyx. Cultivated. Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, Orange County, CA. 5-02-09. © Joan Avise
Five-lobed tubular corolla. Cultivated. Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, Orange County, CA. 5-02-09. © Joan Avise

Grows to 4 ft. high. Cultivated. Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, Orange County, CA. 5-02-09. © Joan Avise
Opposite blue-green leaves, lower ones with short stems, upper clasping, broadest at base. Cultivated. Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, Orange County, CA. 5-02-09. © Joan Avise