Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis
Southern foothill penstemon
Photo: parent species Penstemon heterophyllus · (c) Kenzie Anderson-Bell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis (Southern foothill penstemon) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by hairy herbage, axillary leaf clusters, and very narrow leaves.
Southern foothill penstemon is a California native perennial found in San Francisco Bay, south Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in grassland, chaparral, and forest openings at elevations of 50 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces blue to purple flowers with delicate, trumpet-shaped blossoms. Growing with short, compact stems 15 to 30 centimeters tall, it develops distinctive axillary leaf clusters at lower nodes. Its leaves are narrow and linear, measuring 0.5 to 4 millimeters wide, with a distinctive short-hairy texture that adds visual interest to the plant. The dense clusters of blue-purple flowers and slender leaves make this penstemon a charming addition to California's native landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; distinguished by hairy herbage, axillary leaf clusters, and very narrow leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, chaparral, forest openings
Elevation: 50-1700 m
California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, Monterey, San Bernardino, Kern, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Tuolumne, Merced, San Luis Obispo, Stanislaus, Sonoma, San Benito, Santa Clara, Colusa
Bloom period
Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis blooms May-Jun.
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 heterophyllus var. australis native to California?
Yes. Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis bloom?
Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis grow?
Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis occurs in San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, Monterey, San Bernardino, Kern, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of 50-1700 m.
What plant family does Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis belong to?
Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis grow in?
Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis grows in Grassland, chaparral, forest openings.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Penstemon heterophyllus var. heterophyllus — Foothill penstemon
- Penstemon heterophyllus var. purdyi — Purdy's foothill penstemon
- Penstemon humilis var. humilis — Low beardtongue
- Penstemon incertus — Mojave beardtongue
- Penstemon janishiae — Janish's beardtongue
- Penstemon labrosus — San gabriel 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.