Penstemon barnebyi
Barneby's beardtongue
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Penstemon barnebyi (Barneby's beardtongue) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by distinctive coiled, exserted staminode.
Barneby's beardtongue is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in the White and Inyo Mountains in limestone gravel sagebrush scrub and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 1,500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces violet and blue flowers with a white throat lined with dark markings, approximately 10 to 14 millimeters long. Growing with short, erect stems 6 to 30 centimeters tall and covered in backward-pointing hairs, it forms a compact herbaceous cluster. Its leaves range from 20 to 75 millimeters long, with well-developed basal leaves and lance-shaped upper stem leaves that are nearly entire. The flower's distinctive staminode is notably exserted, tipped with a coil and densely covered in orange-yellow hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive coiled, exserted staminode
Habitat and range
Habitat: Limestone gravel or silt in sagebrush scrub or pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1500-2500 m
California counties: Mono
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Penstemon barnebyi blooms May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 barnebyi native to California?
Yes. Penstemon barnebyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon barnebyi bloom?
Penstemon barnebyi blooms May.
Where in California does Penstemon barnebyi grow?
Penstemon barnebyi occurs in Mono, at elevations of 1500-2500 m.
What plant family does Penstemon barnebyi belong to?
Penstemon barnebyi is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon barnebyi rare or endangered?
Penstemon barnebyi carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.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.