Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii
Cleveland's beardtongue
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii (Cleveland's beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by thick ovate leaves and pink-purple flowers.
Cleveland's beardtongue is a California native perennial found in the Peninsular Ranges and southern desert regions in rocky hillsides, rock crevices, creosote-bush scrub, juniper and pinyon woodland, and chaparral at elevations of 400 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces pale lavender to purple flowers with distinctive spreading anther sacs. Growing with erect stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it develops a clumped, somewhat woody habit. Its leaves are variable, ranging from entire to moderately serrate, with upper stem leaves having cordate-clasping or rounded bases that subtly embrace the stem. The staminode is notably glabrous or sparsely hairy, adding to its delicate botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; thick ovate leaves and pink-purple flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky hillsides, rock crevices in creosote-bush scrub, juniper/pinyon woodland, chaparral
Elevation: 400-1800 m
California counties: San Diego, Imperial
Outside California: Mexico
Bloom period
Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii blooms Mar-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 clevelandii var. clevelandii native to California?
Yes. Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii bloom?
Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii grow?
Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii occurs in San Diego, Imperial, at elevations of 400-1800 m.
What plant family does Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii belong to?
Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii grow in?
Penstemon clevelandii var. clevelandii grows in Rocky hillsides, rock crevices in creosote-bush scrub, juniper/pinyon woodland, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Penstemon clevelandii var. connatus — San jacinto beardtongue
- Penstemon clevelandii var. mohavensis — Mohave beard's tongue
- Penstemon davidsonii var. davidsonii — Davidson's beardtongue
- Penstemon deustus — Hot-rock penstemon
- Penstemon deustus var. deustus — Scabland penstemon
- Penstemon deustus var. pedicellatus — Hot rock beardtongue
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.