Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis
Sonoma beardtongue
(c) Nina House, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nina House · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis (Sonoma beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by dark rose-purple flowers and leaves little reduced distally.
Sonoma beardtongue is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in the northern Coast Ranges, specifically in the peaks of Lake, Napa, and Sonoma counties, growing on rocky outcrops and talus slopes at elevations of 500 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces dark rose-purple flowers with a distinctive throat 5.5 to 6.5 millimeters wide when pressed. Growing with stems that maintain substantial leaf size throughout, it forms a compact shrubby structure with slightly variable height. Its leaves remain relatively consistent in size from base to tip, without significant reduction along the stem. The flowers feature unique characteristics, with two to four stamens extending beyond the corolla and short hairs lining the flower's throat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; dark rose-purple flowers and leaves little reduced distally
Habitat and range
Habitat: Outcrops, talus
Elevation: 500-2400 m
Bloom period
Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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. sonomensis native to California?
Yes. Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis bloom?
Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis belong to?
Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis rare or endangered?
Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis grow in?
Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis grows in Outcrops, talus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.