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Signs: Smooth Blue Beardtongue / Wild Blue Flax, Lewis Wild Flax
Located in the Signal Hill Nature Habitat
(Click on the picture for larger view)
(Unless otherwise indicated, photos by Don of www.Tatagwa.com)
Smooth Blue Beardtongue
(Penstemon nitidus Dougl.)
Beardtongue is a stout, erect species that branches often and is
between 15 and 30cm high when mature. The lower leaves are narrow
and oval and the upper leaves are a rounder oval shape. Flowers
are deep blue but can be purple, red, pink or white.
The earliest blooming plant of its family (pentstemon),
the flowers appear in May and June. The plant is common in eroded
areas throughout the prairies, parkland and Rocky Mountains.
Wild Blue Flax, Lewis Wild Flax
(Linum lewisli Pursh)
This is a common native prairie plant found in dry, open places
as well as roadsides and railway grades. It was named after the
explorer Capt. Meriwether Lewis.
A rare relative of blue flax is also found in Tatagwa Parkway.
Grooved Yellow Flax (Linum sulcatum Ridell)