Keckiella antirrhinoides
Chaparral beard tongue
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Keckiella antirrhinoides (Chaparral beard tongue) is a native California shrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by Tall chaparral shrub; bright yellow snapdragon corollas (dry black) & small entire leaves clustered on old stems; only yellow-flowered….
Chaparral beard tongue is a California native shrub found in the coastal and mountain ranges of central and southern California in chaparral and woodland habitats. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with dark throats that dry nearly black, with blossoms 15 to 23 millimeters long featuring an expanded throat and upper lip. Growing with spreading to erect stems 60 to 250 centimeters tall, young stems are softly whitened while mature stems become smoother. Its leaves are somewhat opposite, clustered in axillary groups, with narrow lance-shaped blades 5 to 20 millimeters long and entire margins. The flower's staminode is densely covered in yellow hairs, adding a distinctive texture to this chaparral shrub.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Tall chaparral shrub; bright yellow snapdragon corollas (dry black) & small entire leaves clustered on old stems; only yellow-flowered Keckiella of S CA
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo
How to tell it apart
vs Penstemon: Keckiella has woody stems that persist year-round; Penstemon is herbaceous and dies back.; vs Epilobium: Keckiella has tubular two-lipped flowers with five stamens; Epilobium has four-petaled open flowers.; vs Tecomaria: Keckiella has small tubular flowers under 1 inch; Tecomaria has large showy orange-red trumpet flowers.; vs Larrea: Keckiella has tubular snapdragon-like flowers; Larrea has small yellow five-petaled flowers and resinous leaves.; vs Salvia: Keckiella has five stamens (one sterile); Salvia has only two fertile stamens and square stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Keckiella antirrhinoides native to California?
Yes. Keckiella antirrhinoides is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Keckiella antirrhinoides grow?
Keckiella antirrhinoides occurs in San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo.
What plant family does Keckiella antirrhinoides belong to?
Keckiella antirrhinoides is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Keckiella.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Keckiella antirrhinoides var. antirrhinoides — Chaparral beard tongue
- Keckiella antirrhinoides var. microphylla — Chaparral beard tongue
- Keckiella breviflora — Bush beardtongue
- Keckiella breviflora var. breviflora — Gaping keckiella
- Keckiella breviflora var. glabrisepala — Hairless gaping keckiella
- Keckiella cordifolia — Climbing penstemon
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.