Penstemon clevelandii var. mohavensis
Mohave beard's tongue
Photo: parent species Penstemon clevelandii · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Penstemon clevelandii var. mohavensis (Mohave beard's tongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by free wedge-shaped leaf bases and hairy staminode.
Mohave beard's tongue is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern desert mountains, specifically the Little San Bernardino and Granite Mountains, in rocky hillsides, rock crevices, creosote-bush scrub, juniper and pinyon woodland, and chaparral at elevations of 400 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces lavender to purple flowers with distinctive spreading anther sacs. Growing with erect stems up to 50 centimeters tall, it forms dense clusters of sharply toothed leaves. Its cauline leaves have widely wedge-shaped bases and serrate edges, with distal leaf bases remaining free from each other. The staminode is notably covered in dense hairs, giving the flower a distinctive textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; free wedge-shaped leaf bases and hairy staminode
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky hillsides, rock crevices in creosote-bush scrub, juniper/pinyon woodland, chaparral
Elevation: 400-1500 m
Bloom period
Penstemon clevelandii var. mohavensis blooms Mar-May.
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 clevelandii var. mohavensis native to California?
Yes. Penstemon clevelandii var. mohavensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon clevelandii var. mohavensis bloom?
Penstemon clevelandii var. mohavensis blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Penstemon clevelandii var. mohavensis belong to?
Penstemon clevelandii var. mohavensis is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon clevelandii var. mohavensis rare or endangered?
Penstemon clevelandii var. mohavensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Penstemon clevelandii var. mohavensis grow in?
Penstemon clevelandii var. mohavensis 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 davidsonii var. davidsonii — Davidson's beardtongue
- Penstemon deustus — Hot-rock penstemon
- Penstemon deustus var. deustus — Scabland penstemon
- Penstemon deustus var. pedicellatus — Hot rock beardtongue
- Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens — Hot rock beardtongue
- Penstemon eatonii — Eaton firecracker
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.