Penstemon eatonii var. undosus

Eaton's firecracker

Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Eaton's firecracker is a California native perennial found in the Transverse Ranges and desert regions in dry sagebrush scrub, pinyon and juniper woodland, and yellow-pine forest at elevations of 1,200 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces vibrant red tubular flowers in striking clusters that attract hummingbirds. Growing with short, densely hairy stems 30 to 50 centimeters tall, it forms a compact and robust clump in arid landscapes. Its opposite leaves are lance-shaped, 3 to 7 centimeters long, with smooth margins and a slightly succulent texture. The slender, trumpet-shaped flowers are particularly notable for their brilliant red coloration, making this penstemon a standout species in its dry, rugged habitats.

Habitat: dry sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland, yellow-pine forest

Bloom period: Mar-Jul

Elevation: 1200-1800 m

Bioregions: SnBr, D

California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.