Penstemon deustus var. deustus
Scabland penstemon
(c) Brian Finzel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Brian Finzel · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon deustus var. deustus (Scabland penstemon) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by broader leaves and larger flowers than other varieties.
Scabland penstemon is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, California high mountains, northern and central Sierra Nevada, and Great Basin on open, rocky granitic and volcanic substrates at elevations of 600 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers with an upper lip, the corolla measuring 12 to 18 millimeters long. Growing with distinctive branching habit, the shrub forms compact clusters in harsh, exposed landscapes. Its leaves are substantial, measuring 8 to 18 millimeters wide, contributing to the plant's robust appearance in rocky terrain. The staminode of this penstemon is notably glabrous at its tip, a subtle but distinctive botanical feature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 50 sympatric species; broader leaves and larger flowers than other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky, granitic gravel, volcanic substrates
Elevation: 600-2200 m
Outside California: eastern Oregon, eastern Washington to western Wyoming
Bloom period
Penstemon deustus var. deustus blooms May-Jul.
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 deustus var. deustus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon deustus var. deustus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon deustus var. deustus bloom?
Penstemon deustus var. deustus blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Penstemon deustus var. deustus belong to?
Penstemon deustus var. deustus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon deustus var. deustus grow in?
Penstemon deustus var. deustus grows in Open, rocky, granitic gravel, volcanic substrates.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Penstemon deustus var. pedicellatus — Hot rock beardtongue
- Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens — Hot rock beardtongue
- Penstemon eatonii — Eaton firecracker
- Penstemon eatonii var. eatonii — Eaton's penstemon
- Penstemon eatonii var. undosus — Eaton's firecracker
- Penstemon filiformis — Thread-leaved beardtongue
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.