Penstemon laetus var. leptosepalus
Mountain blue penstemon
Photo: parent species Penstemon laetus · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon laetus var. leptosepalus (Mountain blue penstemon) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by wide leaves and long narrow sepals.
Mountain blue penstemon is a California native perennial found in southern Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in conifer forest at elevations of 300 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces blue flowers with an open throat and spreading lips. Growing with stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it develops sturdy upright stems in clumps. Its leaves are broad, ranging from 4.5 to 22 millimeters wide, with a deep green coloration. The flower's calyx is 8 to 14 millimeters long with narrowly lanceolate lobes, creating a distinctive profile in its forest habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 39 sympatric species; distinguished by wide leaves and long narrow sepals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Conifer forest
Elevation: 300-1700 m
Bloom period
Penstemon laetus var. leptosepalus blooms May-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 laetus var. leptosepalus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon laetus var. leptosepalus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon laetus var. leptosepalus bloom?
Penstemon laetus var. leptosepalus blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Penstemon laetus var. leptosepalus belong to?
Penstemon laetus var. leptosepalus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon laetus var. leptosepalus grow in?
Penstemon laetus var. leptosepalus grows in Conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.