Penstemon bicolor
Pinto beardtongue
(c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Stan Shebs · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Penstemon bicolor (Pinto beardtongue) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by exceptional height and fused leaf bases distinctive.
Pinto beardtongue is a California native perennial found in the Castle Mountains in creosote-bush and Joshua-tree woodland at elevations of 700 to 1,500 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces cream to magenta flowers with distinctive dark lines, approximately 18 to 24 millimeters long. Growing up to 1.5 meters tall with glabrous herbage, it has thick leaves that clasp around the stem, with upper leaves 4 to 11 centimeters long and sharply serrate. Its leaves are ovate-shaped, positioned along the stem with a distinctive base that encircles the stem. The flower's throat is 6 to 11 millimeters wide when pressed, with a staminode densely covered in yellow hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; exceptional height and fused leaf bases distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly or rocky soils, creosote-bush or blackbush scrub, Joshua-tree woodland
Elevation: 700-1500 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Penstemon bicolor blooms May.
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 bicolor native to California?
Yes. Penstemon bicolor is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon bicolor bloom?
Penstemon bicolor blooms May.
Where in California does Penstemon bicolor grow?
Penstemon bicolor occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 700-1500 m.
What plant family does Penstemon bicolor belong to?
Penstemon bicolor is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon bicolor grow in?
Penstemon bicolor grows in Gravelly or rocky soils, creosote-bush or blackbush scrub, Joshua-tree woodland.
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.