Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi
Newberry's penstemon
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi (Newberry's penstemon) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by exserted stamens and narrow throat diagnostic.
Newberry's penstemon is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, High Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and northern Tehama County in rocky outcrops and talus slopes at elevations of 1,000 to 3,700 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces striking rose-red flowers with a wide throat and delicate short-hairy floor. Growing with an erect habit and distinctive stem structure, the shrub develops reduced leaves toward the stem's upper portions. Its leaves become progressively smaller along the stem, creating a unique architectural profile. The flower's corolla reaches 20 to 30 millimeters long, with 2 to 4 stamens extending beyond the bloom's surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species; exserted stamens and narrow throat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Outcrops, talus
Elevation: 1000-3700 m
California counties: Alpine, Kern, Tuolumne, Tulare, Amador, Shasta, Inyo, Mono, El Dorado, Butte, Fresno, Placer, Tehama, Trinity, Calaveras, Lassen, Plumas, Yuba, Siskiyou, Nevada, Mariposa, Madera, Sierra, Sonoma, Modoc
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi blooms Jun-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 newberryi var. newberryi native to California?
Yes. Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi bloom?
Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi grow?
Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi occurs in Alpine, Kern, Tuolumne, Tulare, Amador, Shasta, Inyo, Mono and other counties, at elevations of 1000-3700 m.
What plant family does Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi belong to?
Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi grow in?
Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi grows in Outcrops, talus.
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.