Prairie Wildflowers and Grasses of North Dakota

Spring Wildflowers

Chris Grondahl photo: Shell leaf penstemon
Chris Grondahl Shell leaf penstemon
(Penstemon grundiflorus)
Distribution: west of the Missouri River and the counties bordering the river on the east
Habitat: upland prairies, road cuts, Badlands
Flowers: pink to lavender in color, two lipped, bell-shaped
Height: 12-28 inches
Blooms: late May to end of June
Family name: Figwort (Scrophulariaceae)
Other names: Pink Beardtongue
Plant uses and other interesting facts: Shell leaf penstemon is a fair forage, best liked by deer, sheep and pronghorns. It has high reclamation potential.

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