Penstemon californicus
California beardtongue
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Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Penstemon californicus (California beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by distinctive scale-like hairs and small linear leaves.
California beardtongue is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) native perennial found in the Peninsular Ranges in sandy soils of yellow-pine forest and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 1,200 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces blue-purple flowers with white interiors and dark lines, approximately 14 to 18 millimeters long. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with spreading to ascending stems covered in appressed, flat, scale-like hairs pointing backward, it forms a delicate herbaceous clump. Its leaves are linear to narrowly oblanceolate, 7 to 15 millimeters long, with entire margins and petioled bases. The flower calyx is 4 to 8.5 millimeters long, with ovate lobes that are similarly hairy and sometimes sparsely glandular.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; distinctive scale-like hairs and small linear leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, yellow-pine forest or pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1200-2300 m
California counties: Riverside, San Diego, Siskiyou
Outside California: Mexico
Bloom period
Penstemon californicus blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 californicus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon californicus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon californicus bloom?
Penstemon californicus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Penstemon californicus grow?
Penstemon californicus occurs in Riverside, San Diego, Siskiyou, at elevations of 1200-2300 m.
What plant family does Penstemon californicus belong to?
Penstemon californicus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon californicus rare or endangered?
Penstemon californicus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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.