Penstemon papillatus
Inyo beardtongue
(c) Martin Purdy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Penstemon papillatus (Inyo beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by cordate-clasping leaves and ashy-hairy herbage diagnostic.
Inyo beardtongue is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native shrub found in central Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in rocky openings of pinyon and juniper woodlands at elevations of 2,100 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces blue-violet flowers 24 to 30 millimeters long with glandular exteriors. Growing as a subshrub 20 to 40 centimeters tall with woody branches near the base, it has an ashy-hairy appearance. Its narrow leaves are 25 to 40 millimeters long, elliptic to oblanceolate, widest at the base, and clasping the stem with a heart-shaped base. The plant's distinctive pale yellow-hairy staminode and glandular blue-violet flowers make it a notable species in its mountain habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; cordate-clasping leaves and ashy-hairy herbage diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky openings of pinyon/juniper woodland and montane forest communities
Elevation: 2100-2900 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono
Bloom period
Penstemon papillatus blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 papillatus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon papillatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon papillatus bloom?
Penstemon papillatus blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Penstemon papillatus grow?
Penstemon papillatus occurs in Inyo, Mono, at elevations of 2100-2900 m.
What plant family does Penstemon papillatus belong to?
Penstemon papillatus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon papillatus rare or endangered?
Penstemon papillatus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.