Keckiella antirrhinoides var. microphylla
Chaparral beard tongue
(c) Joe Decruyenaere, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Keckiella antirrhinoides var. microphylla (Chaparral beard tongue) is a native California shrub in the Plantaginaceae family.
Chaparral beard tongue is a California native shrub found in eastern Peninsular Ranges and desert regions in pinyon and juniper woodlands and Joshua-tree scrub at elevations of 300 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to pale yellow flowers with lanceolate calyx lobes and delicate, acute tips. Growing with a distinctively canescent (gray-woolly) appearance, the shrub develops compact branches with a dense, textured growth habit. Its small leaves are tightly arranged, contributing to the plant's compact and intricate form. The flower's calyx measures 5.5 to 9 millimeters long, with anther sacs nestled precisely within its lanceolate structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species. Key differentiator: canescent coating in desert habitats
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pinyon/juniper woodland, Joshua-tree scrub
Elevation: 300-1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, Inyo
Outside California: Arizona
Bloom period
Keckiella antirrhinoides var. microphylla blooms Apr-Jun.
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 var. microphylla native to California?
Yes. Keckiella antirrhinoides var. microphylla is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Keckiella antirrhinoides var. microphylla bloom?
Keckiella antirrhinoides var. microphylla blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Keckiella antirrhinoides var. microphylla grow?
Keckiella antirrhinoides var. microphylla occurs in San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, Inyo, at elevations of 300-1800 m.
What plant family does Keckiella antirrhinoides var. microphylla belong to?
Keckiella antirrhinoides var. microphylla is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Keckiella.
What habitat does Keckiella antirrhinoides var. microphylla grow in?
Keckiella antirrhinoides var. microphylla grows in Pinyon/juniper woodland, Joshua-tree scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.