Beard-tongue
(Penstemon digitalis)

There are four white-flowered Penstemon species in Missouri; this is the tallest.  It may grow to four feet; in the Center's butterfly gardens it is usually 30 inches or so.

The flowers have two lips, the upper has two lobes and the lower has three.  One of the stamens is modified into a hairy 'tongue' which probably helps to attract pollinating insects.

Penstemon grows almost everywhere in Missouri.  It's habitats includes moist woodland borders, prairies, fields and roadsides.