Penstemon azureus var. azureus
Azure penstemon
(c) Max Miley, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Max Miley · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon azureus var. azureus (Azure penstemon) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by lanceolate leaves and short calyx tips distinguish from other varieties.
Azure penstemon is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, the Cascade Range, and northern and central Sierra Nevada Mountains in moist woodland and open forest at elevations of 500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces blue to purple flowers with distinctive calyx lobes up to 6.5 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems to approximately 30 to 50 centimeters tall, it forms a sturdy herbaceous perennial clump. Its leaves are narrow and lanceolate, measuring 1 to 6.5 centimeters long with a delicate, pointed structure. The plant's calyx lobes have a characteristic pointed tip between 0.2 to 1.5 millimeters long, adding to its distinctive botanical appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 39 sympatric species; lanceolate leaves and short calyx tips distinguish from other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally +- moist woodland, open forest
Elevation: 500-2500 m
California counties: Nevada, Butte, Fresno, Madera, Placer, Shasta, Amador, Del Norte, Tehama, Glenn, Sierra, Siskiyou, Trinity, Mendocino
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Penstemon azureus var. azureus blooms May-Aug.
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 azureus var. azureus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon azureus var. azureus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon azureus var. azureus bloom?
Penstemon azureus var. azureus blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Penstemon azureus var. azureus grow?
Penstemon azureus var. azureus occurs in Nevada, Butte, Fresno, Madera, Placer, Shasta, Amador, Del Norte and other counties, at elevations of 500-2500 m.
What plant family does Penstemon azureus var. azureus belong to?
Penstemon azureus var. azureus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon azureus var. azureus grow in?
Penstemon azureus var. azureus grows in Generally +- moist woodland, open forest.
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.