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Common Name: Small-Flowered Penstemon

General Information

Penstemon procerus is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.40 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

North-western N. America - Alaska to Oregon, east to Wyoming and Colorado.

Habitat

Dry plains, prairies and open or wooded slopes at low to fairly high elevations[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in ordinary rich garden soils so long as they are well-drained[]. Succeeds in dry soils. Prefers a position in full sun[].
Although very cold hardy, this species does not like winter wet and therefore is best given some protection in the winter or a position such as at the foot of a dry wall[].

Edible Uses

A tea-like beverage is made by boiling the dried leaves and stems[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring.
Alternatively, the seed can be sown in early summer in a greenhouse, the seedlings overwintered in the greenhouse and then planted out in the following spring[].
Division in autumn[].
Cuttings can be taken throughout the growing season, though mid summer to early autumn is best[].