This flower was photographed back on April 18. To me, there seem to be many flowers with similar features yet I can’t determine the precise identity. Found in the Fall Line area on a steep, full-sun slope along a rural road. I didn’t get good photos of the leaves or base of the plant. I hope these three photos will suffice. Thank you.
Hi Diane,
this is one of the plants known as beardtongue, or Penstemon. I have seen a similar one in the upstate called Penstemon calycosus, though the flowers in that one appear to be more open, so, I am more certain that yours is Penstemon canescens.
Sincerely,
Steve Hill, Botanist, SCNPS