PENSTEMON Ovatus.
Ovate-leaved Penstemon.
Class and Order.—Didynamia Angiospermia.
Syn. Penstemon ovatus. Curt. Bot. Mag. N. S. pl. 2903.
Root fibrous, stem erect, two or three feet high—cauline leaves sessile, amplexicaul at the base, cordate, margins dentate, becoming smaller and entire as they approach the summit—radical leaves, large, ovate, dentate, on long channelled petioles—flowers in fascicles, which are axillary—calyx five segments, equal, lanceolate acute—corolla bilabiate, tube purple, lip bright blue, upper lip erect, divided into two segments, three lower reflexed—throat hairy—stamens four, two long, and two short, curved—one barren filament, with an acute claw at the base, apex hairy, style recurved—leaves, when young, of a beautiful purple on the under side.
Great additions have lately been made to this genus, by Mr. Douglas, who has discovered many new and valuable plants in North America, among which is the species figured. According to the Bot. Mag. pl. 2903, N. S. it was found by him "growing plentifully among the limestone rocks on the high mountains about the grand rapids of the Columbia river, at the distance of 140 miles from the ocean," and sent to the Hort. Soc. in 1826; it likes a light loam and sheltered situation, and may be increased by seeds or parting the roots. When well grown it is a very beautiful and elegant plant, and a great acquisition to the flower garden. As we are yet scarcely aware how it may bear the cold of our winters, it will be desirable to protect it from severe frosts. The genus can now boast of many new and beautiful species,
| P. speciosum. | Richardsonii. |
| — glandulosum. | procerum. |
| — prunosum. | glaucum. |
| — roseum. | venustum. |
| — pulchellum. | angustifolium. |
| — campanulatum. | digitalis. |
| — confertum. |
Pl. 29.