Penstemon incertus
Mojave beardtongue
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Penstemon incertus (Mojave beardtongue) is a native California shrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by shrubby habit with rolled leaves and unlined violet flowers.
Mojave beardtongue is a California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, and Mojave Desert in sandy washes, canyon slopes, and sagebrush and pinyon/juniper woodlands at elevations of 900 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces violet to purple flowers with blue limbs in a glandular inflorescence, with blossoms 23 to 32 millimeters long and throats 8 to 12 millimeters wide. Growing as a rounded shrub 20 to 100 centimeters tall with young glaucous stems, it has a distinctive growth habit with thick, linear to narrowly lanceolate leaves. Its largest leaves, found at mid-stem, measure 40 to 70 millimeters long and are generally rolled inward, entire in texture. The flower's staminode is densely hairy, adding a delicate texture to this striking desert plant.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 57 sympatric species; shrubby habit with rolled leaves and unlined violet flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally sandy soil along washes, canyon slopes, in sagebrush scrub, Joshua-tree and pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 900-2300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Tulare, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego
Bloom period
Penstemon incertus 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 incertus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon incertus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon incertus bloom?
Penstemon incertus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Penstemon incertus grow?
Penstemon incertus occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Tulare, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, at elevations of 900-2300 m.
What plant family does Penstemon incertus belong to?
Penstemon incertus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon incertus grow in?
Penstemon incertus grows in Generally sandy soil along washes, canyon slopes, in sagebrush scrub, Joshua-tree and pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.