Penstemon albomarginatus
White-margined beardtongue
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Penstemon albomarginatus (White-margined beardtongue) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by unique habitat of stabilized dunes and white-margined leaves.
White-margined beardtongue is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the Mojave Desert in loose desert sand and stabilized dunes at elevations of 700 to 900 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces pink to purple flowers with white-margined calyces approximately 13 to 17 millimeters long. Growing 15 to 35 centimeters tall with stems generally partially buried in sand, it has a glabrous appearance and a distinctive growth form. Its leaves are uniquely designed, with proximal leaves scale-like and distal leaves 15 to 50 millimeters long, oblanceolate with white margins, and entire or weakly dentate. The plant's white-margined calyx lobes and delicate pink to purple flowers make it a distinctive species of desert sand environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; unique habitat of stabilized dunes and white-margined leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Loose desert sand, generally on stabilized dunes
Elevation: 700-900 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona
Bloom period
Penstemon albomarginatus blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Epilobium: Penstemon has tubular two-lipped flowers with five stamens; Epilobium has four-petaled open flowers with eight stamens.; vs Keckiella: Penstemon is herbaceous and dies back; Keckiella has persistent woody stems year-round.; vs Salvia: Penstemon has five stamens (one sterile); Salvia has only two fertile stamens and square stems.; vs Ipomopsis: Penstemon has two-lipped tubular flowers; Ipomopsis has star-shaped flowers with five equal lobes.; vs Antirrhinum: Penstemon has a sterile stamen visible inside; Antirrhinum has only four stamens, none sterile.
Frequently asked questions
Is Penstemon albomarginatus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon albomarginatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon albomarginatus bloom?
Penstemon albomarginatus blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Penstemon albomarginatus grow?
Penstemon albomarginatus occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 700-900 m.
What plant family does Penstemon albomarginatus belong to?
Penstemon albomarginatus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon albomarginatus rare or endangered?
Penstemon albomarginatus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.