Penstemon neotericus
Plumas county beardtongue, Plumas County Beardtongue
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Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon neotericus (Plumas county beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by subshrub habit with glabrous glaucous herbage diagnostic.
Plumas county beardtongue is a California native shrub found in the northern Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range in volcanic soils of scrub and open forest at elevations of 500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces blue to pink-purple flowers 23 to 38 millimeters long with white flower floor and glandular exterior. Growing as a subshrub 25 to 80 centimeters tall with woody branching near the base, it has a glaucous and glabrous appearance. Its cauline leaves are lanceolate, entire, and range from 30 to 85 millimeters in length on the distal stems. The plant features distinctive white-hairy anther sacs that open along their proximal two-thirds to four-fifths, with a glabrous staminode.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 38 sympatric species; subshrub habit with glabrous glaucous herbage diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally in volcanic soils of scrub, open forest
Elevation: 500-2500 m
California counties: Nevada, Tehama, Shasta, Lassen, Plumas, Butte, Yuba, Placer, Siskiyou, Humboldt
Bloom period
Penstemon neotericus blooms May-Aug.
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 neotericus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon neotericus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon neotericus bloom?
Penstemon neotericus blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Penstemon neotericus grow?
Penstemon neotericus occurs in Nevada, Tehama, Shasta, Lassen, Plumas, Butte, Yuba, Placer and other counties, at elevations of 500-2500 m.
What plant family does Penstemon neotericus belong to?
Penstemon neotericus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon neotericus grow in?
Penstemon neotericus grows in Generally in volcanic soils of scrub, open 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.