Keckiella breviflora
Bush beardtongue
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Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Keckiella breviflora (Bush beardtongue) is a native California shrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by Glabrous glaucous stems; opposite serrate lance leaves; small white/cream/rose purple-lined corollas; widespread montane.
Bush beardtongue is a California native shrub found in foothill woodlands and chaparral at elevations of 500 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate white to cream flowers with rose-tinged lobes lined with soft purple, measuring 12 to 18 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 50 to 200 centimeters tall, it has glaucous young branches that are smooth and blue-green. Its opposite leaves are subsessile with blades 10 to 40 millimeters long, lance-shaped and generally serrated along the edges. The plant's distinctive flowers feature a four to eight millimeter calyx with sharp-pointed lanceolate lobes, creating an elegant woodland presence.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Glabrous glaucous stems; opposite serrate lance leaves; small white/cream/rose purple-lined corollas; widespread montane
Habitat and range
California counties: Fresno, Los Angeles, Tulare, Monterey, Placer, El Dorado, Kern, Tuolumne, Madera, Nevada, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mariposa, San Luis Obispo, Lake, Inyo, Mono, San Bernardino, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Mendocino, Napa, Sacramento, Santa Clara, Sierra, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, Yuba, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Alpine, San Benito, Humboldt
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 breviflora native to California?
Yes. Keckiella breviflora is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Keckiella breviflora grow?
Keckiella breviflora occurs in Fresno, Los Angeles, Tulare, Monterey, Placer, El Dorado, Kern, Tuolumne and other counties.
What plant family does Keckiella breviflora belong to?
Keckiella breviflora is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Keckiella.
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.