Penstemon personatus
Closed-throated beardtongue
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Penstemon personatus (Closed-throated beardtongue) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by densely hairy flower interior with closed throat unique.
Closed-throated beardtongue is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada mountains in Butte and Plumas counties, within yellow-pine and montane forests at elevations of 1,050 to 1,800 meters. Flowering in July, this plant produces blue-purple flowers with an arched corolla that distinctively closes its throat, giving it a unique architectural form. Growing 30 to 50 centimeters tall with generally glaucous and glabrous stems, it develops scale-like lower leaves and short-petioled ovate leaves at mid-stem. Its leaves are primarily entire or slightly toothed, with blades measuring 30 to 50 millimeters long and arranged along the stem. The flower's glandular inflorescence and densely hairy interior contribute to its intricate botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; densely hairy flower interior with closed throat unique
Habitat and range
Habitat: Yellow-pine, montane forests
Elevation: 1050-1800 m
California counties: Butte, Plumas, Nevada
Bloom period
Penstemon personatus blooms Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 personatus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon personatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon personatus bloom?
Penstemon personatus blooms Jul.
Where in California does Penstemon personatus grow?
Penstemon personatus occurs in Butte, Plumas, Nevada, at elevations of 1050-1800 m.
What plant family does Penstemon personatus belong to?
Penstemon personatus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon personatus rare or endangered?
Penstemon personatus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Penstemon procerus — Littleflower penstemon
- Penstemon procerus var. brachyanthus — Pincushion beardtongue
- Penstemon procerus var. formosus — Pincushion beardtongue
- Penstemon pseudospectabilis — Desert penstemon
- Penstemon pseudospectabilis ssp. pseudospectabilis — desert beardtongue
- Penstemon purpusii — Snow mountain beardtongue
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.