Penstemon rattanii var. kleei
Santa cruz mountains beardtongue, Santa Cruz Mountains Beardtongue
Photo: parent species Penstemon rattanii · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Penstemon rattanii var. kleei (Santa cruz mountains beardtongue) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by ovate calyx lobes distinguish from var. rattanii.
Santa cruz mountains beardtongue is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the San Francisco Bay Area in redwood and hardwood forests at elevations of 400 to 600 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces flowers with small ovate calyx lobes approximately 6 to 7 millimeters long. Growing with slender, upright stems characteristic of the beardtongue genus, it develops a compact clumping habit in its forest understory habitat. Its narrow leaves are arranged along the stems in a distinctive pattern typical of penstemon species. This rare plant is an important component of the sensitive redwood forest ecosystem in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; ovate calyx lobes distinguish from var. rattanii
Habitat and range
Habitat: Redwood, hardwood forests
Elevation: 400-600 m
California counties: Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Humboldt
Bloom period
Penstemon rattanii var. kleei blooms May-Jun.
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 rattanii var. kleei native to California?
Yes. Penstemon rattanii var. kleei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon rattanii var. kleei bloom?
Penstemon rattanii var. kleei blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Penstemon rattanii var. kleei grow?
Penstemon rattanii var. kleei occurs in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Humboldt, at elevations of 400-600 m.
What plant family does Penstemon rattanii var. kleei belong to?
Penstemon rattanii var. kleei is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon rattanii var. kleei rare or endangered?
Penstemon rattanii var. kleei carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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.