Penstemon calcareus
Limestone beardtongue
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Penstemon calcareus (Limestone beardtongue) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by limestone habitat and densely glandular stems distinctive.
Limestone beardtongue is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the Desert Mountains in limestone crevices, rocky slopes of pinyon and juniper woodland, and Joshua-tree scrub at elevations of 1,200 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces bright pink to rose-purple flowers in a cylindric to funnel-shaped corolla 13 to 17 millimeters long with a glandular exterior. Growing with slender stems 7 to 25 centimeters tall, it features fine, backward-pointing ashy hairs and a densely glandular upper stem. Its upper stem leaves are widely lanceolate, 20 to 60 millimeters long, and range from entire to shallowly toothed. The flower's staminode is densely yellow-hairy and mostly enclosed within the corolla throat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; limestone habitat and densely glandular stems distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Limestone crevices, rocky slopes in pinyon/juniper woodland, Joshua-tree scrub
Elevation: 1200-1600 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Trinity
Bloom period
Penstemon calcareus blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 calcareus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon calcareus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon calcareus bloom?
Penstemon calcareus blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Penstemon calcareus grow?
Penstemon calcareus occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Trinity, at elevations of 1200-1600 m.
What plant family does Penstemon calcareus belong to?
Penstemon calcareus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon calcareus rare or endangered?
Penstemon calcareus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3?.
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.