Penstemon centranthifolius (Benth.) Benth.
Scarlet bugler
Scarlet buglers are native to California and parts of Mexico. The appear on dry slopes and in open woodlands below elevations of 1.1 mi (1.8 km).
Plants: 12–47″ (30–120 cm) high.
Leaves: Thick, hairless, gray-green, opposite, clasping, ovate to lanceolate, 1½–4″ (4–10 cm) long, with smooth edges. Leaves clasp the stem.
Flowers: Brilliant red tubular flowers ¾–1″ (2–3 cm) long adorn a purplish spike. Each flower is ⅛–¼″ (3.5–6.5 mm) long, and has five lobes at the tip. The pedicels that support each flower point upward, while the flowers hang downward. The flowers are hummingbird-friendly. Flowers appear from April to July.
Fruits: Capsules are ¼–⅜ ⨉ ⅛–¼″ (8–11 ⨉ 6–7 mm).
Habitats: Chaparrals, oak woodlands, below 1.1 mi (1.8 km).
Online References:
6/3/2009 · Kolob Canyons, Zion National Park, Utah · ≈ 4 × 4″ (10 × 10 cm) 
5/21/2009 · Grand Canyon South Rim, Arizona · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm) 
4/29/2018 · Sandstone Quarry, Scenic Loop Road, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (12 × 18 cm) 
4/29/2018 · Sandstone Quarry, Scenic Loop Road, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada · ≈ 4 × 6″ (11 × 16 cm) 
4/29/2018 · Sandstone Quarry, Scenic Loop Road, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 20 cm) 
5/21/2009 · Grand Canyon South Rim, Arizona 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Asteridae | A large class that encompasses asters |
| Order | Lamiales | Aromatic herbs and shrubs, including lavender, lilac, olive, jasmine, ash, teak, snapdragon, sesame, psyllium, garden sage, mint, basil, and rosemary |
| Family | Plantaginaceae | Plantains |
| Genus | Penstemon | “Beard-tongues,” a reference to flower shape |
| Species | centranthifolius | “Having leaves like Centranthus” |
Penstemon centranthifolius description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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