Purple mountain majesty has medicinal uses, too

Published 7:52 am Thursday, June 8, 2017

Name: Woody Penstemon

Scientific name: Penstemon fruticosus

This Penstemon is another very showy plant, and is found from the Rockies in British Columbia to Eastern Oregon in the Blue Mountains to nearby Idaho. It is similar to Barrett’s Penstemon, which was featured last week. Both species are low-growing shrubs, with blue to purple flowers facing in one direction. The species name fruticosus is Latin for woody.

The plant grows to 16 inches tall, with stems varying from flat on the ground to upright, often creating wide mats. The leaves are narrowly elliptic, about 2½ inches long, toothed along the edges, and smaller on the flowering stems. The flowers are few per stem, and 1-2 inches long.

Northwest Indian tribes had many medicinal uses for this plant, depending on how the plants were prepared.

These uses included treatment for headaches, colds, itchy scalp, acne, flu, toothaches, bladder problems, rheumatism, arthritis, sores, sore eyes, ulcers, kidney problems, and as a wash for the legs of lame horses. The plants were used in cooking with onions. Leaves were placed in moccasins for insoles, and used as a dye for baskets.

Where to find: It is probably 2-4 weeks too early to see this Penstemon blooming. However, when the time comes it is worth seeing. I’ve consistently found it east of Tollgate along the road to Jubilee Lake.

Once on the road, pull over at the first major left curve, where there is a broad turnout on the right for people to enjoy the view. Get out and look down the bank on the other side of the rail and you will find large patches of the plant just a few feet away.