Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae

Amargosa beardtongue, Amargosa Beardtongue

Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae (Amargosa beardtongue), native California shrub

(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence

Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3

Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae (Amargosa beardtongue) is a native California shrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by CNPS 1B.3, distinguished from var. fruticiformis by smaller flowers and glandular exterior.

Amargosa beardtongue is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in northern Mojave Desert regions in creosote-bush scrub at elevations of 1,000 to 1,750 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces lavender to purple flowers with an expansive throat 8 to 10 millimeters wide when pressed. Growing with upright branching stems to 1 meter tall, it forms a dense, woody shrub with multiple stems. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, typical of penstemon species, with a compact arrangement along the stems. The flower's distinctive wide throat and glandular exterior make it a notable member of the penstemon genus in desert habitats.

Identification and appearance

Key characters: 24 sympatric species; CNPS 1B.3, distinguished from var. fruticiformis by smaller flowers and glandular exterior

Habitat and range

Habitat: Creosote-bush scrub

Elevation: generally 1000-1750 m

California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino

Outside California: western Nevada

Bloom period

Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae blooms May-Jun.

Conservation status

CNPS 1B.3

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 var. amargosae native to California?

Yes. Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae is native to California (recorded as native).

When does Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae bloom?

Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae blooms May-Jun.

Where in California does Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae grow?

Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, at elevations of generally 1000-1750 m.

What plant family does Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae belong to?

Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.

Is Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae rare or endangered?

Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Penstemon species · All Plantaginaceae

Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB

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.