Penstemon purpusii
Snow mountain beardtongue, Snow Mountain Beardtongue
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon purpusii (Snow mountain beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by densely canescent-hairy herbage and folded leaves diagnostic.
Snow mountain beardtongue is a California native shrub found in western Klamath Ranges and northern Coast Ranges at elevations of 800 to 2,500 meters on rocky ridges, peaks, and open slopes in montane forest. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces blue-violet flowers 27 to 31 millimeters long with a glandular exterior. Growing as a subshrub 5 to 20 centimeters tall with woody branches near the base, it has a densely hairy appearance. Its cauline leaves are 10 to 30 millimeters long, approximately lanceolate, often folded lengthwise and weakly serrate. The plant features distinctive glandular flowers with blue-violet corollas and a glabrous flower floor.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; densely canescent-hairy herbage and folded leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky ridges, peaks, open slopes in montane forest
Elevation: 800-2500 m
California counties: Lake, Humboldt, Tehama, Trinity, Mendocino, Glenn, Siskiyou, Shasta, Colusa
Bloom period
Penstemon purpusii blooms Jun-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 purpusii native to California?
Yes. Penstemon purpusii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon purpusii bloom?
Penstemon purpusii blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Penstemon purpusii grow?
Penstemon purpusii occurs in Lake, Humboldt, Tehama, Trinity, Mendocino, Glenn, Siskiyou, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of 800-2500 m.
What plant family does Penstemon purpusii belong to?
Penstemon purpusii is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon purpusii grow in?
Penstemon purpusii grows in Rocky ridges, peaks, open slopes in montane forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.