Penstemon newberryi
Mountain pride
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon newberryi (Mountain pride) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by distinctive mat-forming habit.
Mountain pride is a California native shrub found in rocky, montane habitats at elevations of 1,200 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces vibrant pink to magenta flowers with distinctively shaped petals. Growing as a low, mat-forming subshrub 12 to 30 centimeters tall with short, backward-pointing hairs, it spreads densely across rocky terrain. Its leaves are primarily basal, with oval to obovate blades 10 to 40 millimeters long, featuring fine serrated edges. The plant's compact form and brilliant pink blooms make it a striking addition to high-elevation mountain landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive mat-forming habit
Habitat and range
California counties: Tulare, Trinity, Kern, Inyo, El Dorado, Mono, Fresno, Shasta, Siskiyou, Mariposa, Placer, Madera, Sierra, Alpine, Amador, Lassen, Tuolumne, Nevada, Plumas, Humboldt, Glenn, Butte, Tehama, Del Norte, Napa
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 newberryi native to California?
Yes. Penstemon newberryi is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Penstemon newberryi grow?
Penstemon newberryi occurs in Tulare, Trinity, Kern, Inyo, El Dorado, Mono, Fresno, Shasta and other counties.
What plant family does Penstemon newberryi belong to?
Penstemon newberryi is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Penstemon newberryi var. berryi — Berry's mountain pride
- Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi — Newberry's penstemon
- Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis — Sonoma beardtongue
- Penstemon pahutensis — Pahute beardtongue
- Penstemon palmeri var. palmeri — Palmer's penstemon
- Penstemon papillatus — Inyo 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.