With numerous leafy stems reaching 16–40 inches tall and with dozens of spike-like clusters of reddish-pink, tubular flowers, this attractive plant is a favorite with hummingbirds, as well as homeowners with pollinator habitat gardens. Note the opposite leaves are fused around the upper stem. NM and AZ have Penstemon pseudospectabilis var. connatifolius.

FLOWER: April–July. Clusters on short branches along one side of the  main stem; flowers tubular, reddish-pink to magenta, 1–2 inches long (25–50 mm); floral tube spreads open with 2 upper lips, and 3 lower lips with a few scattered hairs; white nectar guides often around and in throat; surfaces glandular-hairy inside and out.

LEAVES: Basal, opposite on stem, evergreen; lower stem leaves with short stems (petioles) to clasping, upper blades are fused around stem (perfoliate). Blades oval to triangular, 1 1/8–3 1/2 inches long (3–9 cm); margins can be entire and serrated on the same plant

HABITAT: Sandy, rocky soils, desert washes, canyons, foothills; desert grasslands and scrub, pinyon-juniper woodlands.

ELEVATION: 4,800–7,850 feet.

RANGE: CA, AZ, NM, NV, UT.

SIMILAR SPECIES: The red flowers in branching  clusters, and perfoliate upper leaves distinguish this beautiful penstemon in NM. Superb Penstemon, P. superbus, in Grant and Hidalgo cos., has pink to scarlet flowers with symmetrical, round, equally-sized lobes in dense clusters separated at nodes along the stem.

NM COUNTIES: Southwest corner of NM in low- to mid-elevation, dry habitats: Catron, Dona Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna.