Palmer's Penstemon
Penstemon palmeri

Family: Plantain (Plantaginaceae)
AKA: Balloon Flower, Scented Penstemon,
 Palmer's Beardtongue
Photo taken on: June 12, 2009
Location: White Rock, NM
Life Zones: Plains to foothills
Habitat: Dry areas, roadsides

Can grow to 5ft tall with fleshy, triangular, blue-green leaves that unite at the stem. The showy pink to lavender flowers are 2" long with purple stripes in the throat. They grow in a long cluster above the leaves.

A much taller and showier plant than other Beardtongues. The leaves also differentiate.

Photo taken on: June 12, 2009
Location: White Rock, NM

Flora of North America reference.