Penstemon grinnellii var. scrophularioides
Grinnell's beardtongue
(c) marlin harms, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon grinnellii var. scrophularioides (Grinnell's beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by tall stature, glaucous branches, and blue-violet flowers.
Grinnell's beardtongue is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada, Santa Clara County, southern Coast Ranges, and Transverse Ranges in chaparral, foothill and pinyon/juniper woodland, and montane forest at elevations of 500 to 2,850 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces blue-violet flowers in an elegant tubular corolla 26 to 35 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 45 to 85 centimeters tall, its young branches are distinctively glaucous or bluish-gray. Its leaves are arranged along the stem, supporting the tall, slender flower stalks. The plant thrives in varied mountain habitats, adding a splash of blue-violet color to the rugged California landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 38 sympatric species; distinguished by tall stature, glaucous branches, and blue-violet flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, foothill and pinyon/juniper woodland, montane forest
Elevation: 500-2850 m
Bloom period
Penstemon grinnellii var. scrophularioides blooms Apr-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 grinnellii var. scrophularioides native to California?
Yes. Penstemon grinnellii var. scrophularioides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon grinnellii var. scrophularioides bloom?
Penstemon grinnellii var. scrophularioides blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Penstemon grinnellii var. scrophularioides belong to?
Penstemon grinnellii var. scrophularioides is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon grinnellii var. scrophularioides grow in?
Penstemon grinnellii var. scrophularioides grows in Chaparral, foothill and pinyon/juniper woodland, montane forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis — Southern foothill penstemon
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.