Penstemon grinnellii var. grinnellii
Grinnell's beardtongue
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Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon grinnellii var. grinnellii (Grinnell's beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by var. scrophularioides by size, branch color, and flower color.
Grinnell's beardtongue is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada, western San Joaquin Valley, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and desert mountains including Victorville in chaparral, foothill woodland, and montane forest at elevations of 300 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white to pink or lavender-tinged flowers 22 to 30 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall, featuring young branches in light green. Its leaves are arranged along the stem, supporting the delicate flowering stalks with a distinctive architectural structure. The plant has a compact form typical of high desert and mountain chaparral environments, with flowers that offer a subtle, soft color palette of whites and pale pinks.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 58 sympatric species; distinguished from var. scrophularioides by size, branch color, and flower color
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, foothill and pinyon/juniper woodland, montane forest
Elevation: 300-2700 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Ventura, Riverside, Inyo, Fresno
Bloom period
Penstemon grinnellii var. grinnellii blooms May-Aug.
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 grinnellii var. grinnellii native to California?
Yes. Penstemon grinnellii var. grinnellii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon grinnellii var. grinnellii bloom?
Penstemon grinnellii var. grinnellii blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Penstemon grinnellii var. grinnellii grow?
Penstemon grinnellii var. grinnellii occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Ventura, Riverside, Inyo and other counties, at elevations of 300-2700 m.
What plant family does Penstemon grinnellii var. grinnellii belong to?
Penstemon grinnellii var. grinnellii is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon grinnellii var. grinnellii grow in?
Penstemon grinnellii var. grinnellii grows in Chaparral, foothill and pinyon/juniper woodland, montane forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Penstemon grinnellii var. scrophularioides — Grinnell's beardtongue
- Penstemon heterodoxus — Sierra beardtongue
- Penstemon heterodoxus var. cephalophorus — Sierra beardtongue
- Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus — Sierra beardtongue
- Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis — Shasta beardtongue
- Penstemon heterophyllus — Bunchleaf penstemon
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.