Penstemon floridus var. floridus
Panamint beardtongue
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon floridus var. floridus (Panamint beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by var. austinii by flower shape and size.
Panamint beardtongue is a California native perennial found in the southern eastern Sierra Nevada in gravelly washes, canyon floors, sagebrush scrub, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 1,600 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces pale flowers with a distinctive tubular corolla 24 to 30 millimeters long, dramatically expanding to a wide throat 10 to 16 millimeters across when pressed. Growing with slender stems characteristic of beardtongue species, it develops compact clusters in its rocky desert habitats. Its leaves are likely arranged oppositely, typical of penstemon species, with a structure adapted to arid mountain environments. The plant's striking flower shape and narrow habitat range make it a notable species of the eastern Sierra Nevada mountain regions.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; distinguished from var. austinii by flower shape and size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly washes, canyon floors, sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1600-2700 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Penstemon floridus var. floridus 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 floridus var. floridus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon floridus var. floridus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon floridus var. floridus bloom?
Penstemon floridus var. floridus blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Penstemon floridus var. floridus grow?
Penstemon floridus var. floridus occurs in Inyo, Mono, at elevations of 1600-2700 m.
What plant family does Penstemon floridus var. floridus belong to?
Penstemon floridus var. floridus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon floridus var. floridus grow in?
Penstemon floridus var. floridus grows in Gravelly washes, canyon floors, sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Penstemon fruticiformis — Death valley beardtongue
- Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae — Amargosa beardtongue
- Penstemon fruticiformis var. fruticiformis — Desert beardtongue
- Penstemon gracilentus — Slender beardtongue
- Penstemon grinnellii — Grinnell's beardtongue
- Penstemon grinnellii var. grinnellii — Grinnell's 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.