Keckiella rothrockii
Rothrock's keckiella
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Keckiella rothrockii (Rothrock's keckiella) is a native California shrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by Low wide shrub (3-6 dm); green densely short-hairy stems; leaves in 3s/subopposite; dull brown-yellow flowers in spike-like clusters.
Rothrock's keckiella is a California native shrub found in rocky areas at moderate elevations. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces cream to pale yellow flowers with purple or red-brown lines, creating delicate tubular blooms. Growing low and wide with young green stems densely covered in short hairs, it reaches 30 to 60 centimeters tall and spreads broadly across its habitat. Its leaves are subopposite or arranged in groups of three, with small oblanceolate to obovate blades 5 to 16 millimeters long, sometimes finely serrated near the leaf tip. The flowers are clustered in spike-like formations with nearly sessile blooms and lanceolate calyx lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Low wide shrub (3-6 dm); green densely short-hairy stems; leaves in 3s/subopposite; dull brown-yellow flowers in spike-like clusters
Habitat and range
California counties: Tulare, Inyo, Kern, Mono, Riverside
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 rothrockii native to California?
Yes. Keckiella rothrockii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Keckiella rothrockii grow?
Keckiella rothrockii occurs in Tulare, Inyo, Kern, Mono, Riverside.
What plant family does Keckiella rothrockii belong to?
Keckiella rothrockii is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Keckiella.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Keckiella rothrockii var. jacintensis — San jacinto mts. keckiella
- Keckiella rothrockii var. rothrockii — Rothrock's keckiella
- Keckiella sp. — Bush penstemon
- Keckiella ternata — Blue stemmed keckiella
- Keckiella ternata var. septentrionalis — Northern blue stemmed keckiella
- Keckiella ternata var. ternata — Blue stemmed keckiella
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.