Keckiella corymbosa
Red beardtongue
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Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Keckiella corymbosa (Red beardtongue) is a native California shrub in the Plantaginaceae family.
Red beardtongue is a California native shrub found in northwestern California, the northern Sierra Nevada foothills, Sutter Buttes, and central western California in rocky slopes within conifer or hardwood forests at elevations of 100 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces bright pink to red flowers with a tube 17 to 22 millimeters long and an upper lip 9 to 15 millimeters in size. Growing 30 to 60 centimeters tall and less than one meter wide, it develops with young stems that may be glabrous or hairy. Its opposite leaves are 10 to 35 millimeters long, oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, with wedge-shaped bases and margins that are entire or have 3 to 5 teeth. The flower's staminode is densely covered in yellow hairs, adding a distinctive texture to its vibrant floral display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species. Key differentiators: bright pink-red flowers, compact habit, densely hairy pedicels
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes in conifer or hardwood forests, (chaparral)
Elevation: 100-2000 m
California counties: Lake, Siskiyou, Trinity, Mendocino, Humboldt, Yolo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Contra Costa, Marin, Santa Clara, Napa, Sonoma, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, San Benito, Tehama, Sutter, Butte, Shasta, Alameda, San Luis Obispo, Ventura
Bloom period
Keckiella corymbosa blooms Jun-Oct.
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 corymbosa native to California?
Yes. Keckiella corymbosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Keckiella corymbosa bloom?
Keckiella corymbosa blooms Jun-Oct.
Where in California does Keckiella corymbosa grow?
Keckiella corymbosa occurs in Lake, Siskiyou, Trinity, Mendocino, Humboldt, Yolo, Santa Cruz, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of 100-2000 m.
What plant family does Keckiella corymbosa belong to?
Keckiella corymbosa is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Keckiella.
What habitat does Keckiella corymbosa grow in?
Keckiella corymbosa grows in Rocky slopes in conifer or hardwood forests, (chaparral).
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.