Everwilde Farms - 1/4 lb Palmers Penstemon Native Wildflower Seeds - Gold Vault Bulk Seed Packet

These vivacious rosy blossoms exude a delightful fragrance similar to honeysuckle. This southwest native flourishes in dry desert areas, so it is accustomed to thriving in heat and drought. John Mitchell, an 18th century American botanist, recorded the first botanical description of this plant genus; Carl Linnaeus included it in his landmark publication Species Plantarum in 1753. According to legend, Native Americans once used this plant as a versatile medicinal remedy. Its unusual common name comes from a fuzzy "tongue" in each open bloom, which gives a slight resemblance to a mouth and a tongue. The genus name "Penstemon" comes from Greek words for "five threads," referring to the stamens of each blossom. The species name "palmeri" honors 19th century botanist Edward Palmer, who worked for the U. S. Department of Agriculture.