Penstemon procerus var. formosus
Pincushion beardtongue
(c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by J Brew · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon procerus var. formosus (Pincushion beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by tiny alpine habit with very narrow leaves diagnostic.
Pincushion beardtongue is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and Sierra Nevada Mountains in alpine barrens at elevations of 2,100 to 3,600 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces delicate flowers in compact clusters. Growing with tiny stems 5 to 12 centimeters tall, it forms a low, dense cushion in harsh alpine environments. Its upper leaves are narrow, measuring 5 to 20 millimeters long and 1 to 5.5 millimeters wide, clustered tightly along the compact stems. The plant's diminutive size and alpine habitat make it well-adapted to extreme high-elevation conditions.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 41 sympatric species; tiny alpine habit with very narrow leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alpine barrens
Elevation: 2100-3600 m
California counties: Mono, Siskiyou, Alpine, Inyo, Tuolumne, Trinity
Outside California: Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Penstemon procerus var. formosus blooms Jul-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 procerus var. formosus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon procerus var. formosus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon procerus var. formosus bloom?
Penstemon procerus var. formosus blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Penstemon procerus var. formosus grow?
Penstemon procerus var. formosus occurs in Mono, Siskiyou, Alpine, Inyo, Tuolumne, Trinity, at elevations of 2100-3600 m.
What plant family does Penstemon procerus var. formosus belong to?
Penstemon procerus var. formosus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon procerus var. formosus grow in?
Penstemon procerus var. formosus grows in Alpine barrens.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Penstemon pseudospectabilis — Desert penstemon
- Penstemon pseudospectabilis ssp. pseudospectabilis — desert beardtongue
- Penstemon purpusii — Snow mountain beardtongue
- Penstemon rattanii — Rattan's beardtongue
- Penstemon rattanii var. kleei — Santa cruz mountains beardtongue
- Penstemon rattanii var. rattanii — Rattan's 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.