Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis
Shasta beardtongue
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis (Shasta beardtongue) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by CNPS 4.3, distinguished by tall stature and multiple flower clusters in meadow habitat.
Shasta beardtongue is a California native perennial found in the high Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau in montane meadows at elevations of 900 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces pale purple to blue flowers in small clusters of 2 to 6 blossoms. Growing 15 to 65 centimeters tall with erect stems that are moderately glandular, it develops a compact habit in alpine meadow environments. Its leaves are elongated, measuring 30 to 140 millimeters long and 6 to 20 millimeters wide, arranged along the stem in a distinctive pattern. The plant forms distinctive flower clusters with glandular surfaces, creating a delicate appearance in its high-elevation mountain habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; CNPS 4.3, distinguished by tall stature and multiple flower clusters in meadow habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Montane meadows
Elevation: 900-2400 m
California counties: Shasta, Plumas, Siskiyou, Modoc, Butte, Lassen
Bloom period
Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 heterodoxus var. shastensis native to California?
Yes. Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis bloom?
Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis grow?
Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis occurs in Shasta, Plumas, Siskiyou, Modoc, Butte, Lassen, at elevations of 900-2400 m.
What plant family does Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis belong to?
Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis rare or endangered?
Penstemon heterodoxus var. shastensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Penstemon incertus — Mojave beardtongue
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.