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Questions and Answers: 2021

Question: Hello! I found a Penstemon growing on a gravelly slope in Ithaca, NY, and someone had taken a photo of …

• Question

  Hello! I found a Penstemon growing on a gravelly slope in Ithaca, NY, and someone had taken a photo of it when the flower was still there, and it looked like Penstemon hirsutus, and also seemed like it was the right habitat for it. However, the stem really didn't have any evidence of hairs on it in its autumn form, except a few wisps near the base. I was wondering if it is known if the hairs on P. hirsutus fall off after the plant matures and goes to seed. Thanks very much

  Answer

  Dear philterfeed, hello to you. I do not know the persistence of the hairs in Penstemon hirsutus, but I would expect some to remain late into the season, as they do on many other herbaceous plants. Only very late, when the stems are dried and senesced should hairs be difficult to locate. Best wishes.