Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens
Hot rock beardtongue
(c) Brian Finzel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Brian Finzel · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens (Hot rock beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by broader ovate leaves and bearded staminode.
Hot rock beardtongue is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, southern Cascade Ranges, and northern Sierra Nevada at elevations of 600 to 2,200 meters in open forest habitats. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces flowers with a corolla 9 to 11 millimeters long, featuring a distinctive bearded staminode. Growing with a shrubby form, it develops sturdy stems that support its distinctive foliage. Its leaves are broadly shaped, ranging from 7 to 28 millimeters wide, with an ovate to nearly round configuration. The plant's calyx is 3.5 to 6.5 millimeters long, with narrow lanceolate lobes that are sharply acute or long-tapered.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 48 sympatric species; broader ovate leaves and bearded staminode
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open forest
Elevation: 600-2200 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Plumas, Alpine, Trinity, Butte, Sierra, Tehama, Shasta, Nevada, Humboldt, Del Norte, Glenn
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens 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. suffrutescens native to California?
Yes. Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens bloom?
Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens grow?
Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens occurs in Siskiyou, Plumas, Alpine, Trinity, Butte, Sierra, Tehama, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of 600-2200 m.
What plant family does Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens belong to?
Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens grow in?
Penstemon deustus var. suffrutescens grows in Open forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.