Penstemon pseudospectabilis
Desert penstemon
(c) Kenzie Anderson-Bell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Penstemon pseudospectabilis (Desert penstemon) is a native California shrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by disk-like upper leaves and glandular-only flower interior diagnostic.
Desert penstemon is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native shrub found in desert regions in gravelly or rocky desert washes, canyon floors, creosote-bush scrub, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 100 to 1,750 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces red-pink flowers 17 to 25 millimeters long with strong internal lines and glandular surfaces. Growing 30 to 100 centimeters tall with young stems that are glaucous and smooth, it develops distinctive branching habits. Its upper leaves are widely triangular-ovate, 30 to 90 millimeters long, with slightly serrated edges and bases that fuse around the stem, creating disk-like leaf pairs. The plant's delicate red-pink flowers feature a gradually expanding throat and closely held glandular anthers, making it a striking desert landscape specimen.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; disk-like upper leaves and glandular-only flower interior diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly or rocky desert washes, canyon floors, creosote-bush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: generally 100-1750 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial
Outside California: Arizona
Bloom period
Penstemon pseudospectabilis blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 pseudospectabilis native to California?
Yes. Penstemon pseudospectabilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon pseudospectabilis bloom?
Penstemon pseudospectabilis blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Penstemon pseudospectabilis grow?
Penstemon pseudospectabilis occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, at elevations of generally 100-1750 m.
What plant family does Penstemon pseudospectabilis belong to?
Penstemon pseudospectabilis is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon pseudospectabilis rare or endangered?
Penstemon pseudospectabilis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Penstemon roezlii — Regel's mountain penstemon
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · 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.