Penstemon fruticiformis
Death valley beardtongue
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Penstemon fruticiformis (Death valley beardtongue) is a native California shrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by distinctive subshrub growth form separates it from herbaceous penstemons.
Death valley beardtongue is a California native shrub found in desert regions at elevations where rocky landscapes and arid conditions predominate. Flowering from spring to early summer, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers with lavender-lined petals and a shaggy-hairy flower floor. Growing as a much-branched subshrub 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it tends to spread wider than its height with young stems appearing glaucous and smooth. Its thick leaves are 25 to 65 millimeters long, often narrowly lanceolate, and typically folded lengthwise or rolled inward. The plant's distinctive staminode is densely hairy and prominently exserted, adding to its unique desert adaptation profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species; distinctive subshrub growth form separates it from herbaceous penstemons
Habitat and range
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Tulare, Kern
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 fruticiformis native to California?
Yes. Penstemon fruticiformis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Penstemon fruticiformis grow?
Penstemon fruticiformis occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Tulare, Kern.
What plant family does Penstemon fruticiformis belong to?
Penstemon fruticiformis is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Penstemon grinnellii var. scrophularioides — 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.