Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus
Mountain blue penstemon
Photo: parent species Penstemon laetus · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus (Mountain blue penstemon) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by narrow sagittate anthers diagnostic.
Mountain blue penstemon is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern California Ranges in sagebrush scrub and evergreen forest at elevations of 400 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces blue to purple flowers with a constricted throat and prominently projecting lips. Growing with erect stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it forms compact clumps with multiple flowering stalks. Its leaves are narrow, measuring 1.5 to 8.5 millimeters wide, with lance-shaped blades that are typically arranged oppositely along the stem. The flower's distinctive anthers are narrowly arrowhead-shaped, opening along most of their length to release pollen.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; narrow sagittate anthers diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sagebrush scrub, evergreen forest
Elevation: 400-2300 m
California counties: Trinity, Siskiyou, Modoc, Humboldt, Del Norte, Shasta
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus 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. sagittatus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus bloom?
Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus grow?
Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus occurs in Trinity, Siskiyou, Modoc, Humboldt, Del Norte, Shasta, at elevations of 400-2300 m.
What plant family does Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus belong to?
Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus grow in?
Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus grows in Sagebrush scrub, evergreen forest.
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.