penstemon

American  

[pen-stee-muhn, pen-stuh-muhn] / pɛnˈsti mən, ˈpɛn stə mən /

noun

1. any of numerous chiefly North American plants belonging to the genus Penstemon, of the figwort family, some species of which are cultivated for their showy, variously colored flowers.

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penstemon British  

/ pɛnˈstiːmən /

noun

1. a variant (esp US) of pentstemon

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Etymology

Origin of penstemon

1750–60; variant of pentstemon (> New Latin Penstemon genus name)

Example Sentences

It also offers a variety of seeds for black, white, purple, Cleveland and hummingbird sages, as well as apricot mallow, showy penstemon, yarrow, California poppies, caterpillar phacelia and more.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2025

By summer, the meadows are illuminated with the bright colors of blue bells, paintbrush, columbine, glacier lilies, purple penstemon and more.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 29, 2022

One bee, Osmia distincta, fed on just three species of beardtongue or penstemon, a summer-flowering perennial.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2021

He expects the next harvest day sometime in August to focus on milkweed and penstemon seeds.

From Washington Times • Jul. 31, 2016

Where the ground was lately aglow with the marigold and the four-o'clock the tall penstemon now reaches out a hundred arms full-hung with trumpets of purple and pink.

From Our Italy by Warner, Charles Dudley