Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus
Sierra beardtongue
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus (Sierra beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by very small size and single flower cluster.
Sierra beardtongue is a California native perennial found in the northern Sierra Nevada, Sierra Nevada, and White and Inyo Mountains in montane and subalpine slopes, meadows, and scree at elevations of 2,700 to 3,900 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces delicate flowers in small clusters, typically with one to two flower stems. Growing with compact stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms dense, low-growing clumps in high-elevation alpine environments. Its leaves are narrow and relatively small, ranging from 5 to 50 millimeters long and 2 to 10 millimeters wide, with a compact, somewhat linear structure. The plant's distinctive glandular inflorescence and low-growing form make it well-adapted to harsh, rocky high-mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 38 sympatric species; distinguished by very small size and single flower cluster
Habitat and range
Habitat: Montane and subalpine slopes, meadows, scree
Elevation: 2700-3900 m
California counties: Tuolumne, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Alpine, Mariposa, Amador, Sierra, Plumas, El Dorado, Fresno, Madera, Nevada, Placer, Lassen
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus blooms Jul-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 heterodoxus var. heterodoxus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus bloom?
Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus grow?
Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus occurs in Tuolumne, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Alpine, Mariposa, Amador, Sierra and other counties, at elevations of 2700-3900 m.
What plant family does Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus belong to?
Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus grow in?
Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus grows in Montane and subalpine slopes, meadows, scree.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis — Shasta beardtongue
- Penstemon heterophyllus — Bunchleaf penstemon
- Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis — Southern foothill penstemon
- Penstemon heterophyllus var. heterophyllus — Foothill penstemon
- Penstemon heterophyllus var. purdyi — Purdy's foothill penstemon
- Penstemon humilis var. humilis — Low 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.