Penstemon rattanii var. rattanii
Rattan's beardtongue
Photo: parent species Penstemon rattanii · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Penstemon rattanii var. rattanii (Rattan's beardtongue) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by lanceolate calyx lobes and leaf shape diagnostic.
Rattan's beardtongue is a California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges, western Klamath Ranges, and northern coastal Ranges in grassy slopes within grand-fir, sitka-spruce, redwood, and mixed-evergreen forests at elevations of 10 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces purple flowers with distinctive calyx lobes 6 to 12 millimeters long. Growing with upright stems that reach moderate heights, it forms clusters in woodland openings. Its leaves are arranged along the stem, providing a classic beardtongue profile with slender, pointed foliage characteristic of the penstemon genus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; lanceolate calyx lobes and leaf shape diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy slopes in grand-fir/sitka-spruce, redwood, mixed-evergreen forests
Elevation: 10-1200 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Penstemon rattanii var. rattanii blooms May-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 rattanii var. rattanii native to California?
Yes. Penstemon rattanii var. rattanii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon rattanii var. rattanii bloom?
Penstemon rattanii var. rattanii blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Penstemon rattanii var. rattanii grow?
Penstemon rattanii var. rattanii occurs in Humboldt, Mendocino, at elevations of 10-1200 m.
What plant family does Penstemon rattanii var. rattanii belong to?
Penstemon rattanii var. rattanii is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon rattanii var. rattanii grow in?
Penstemon rattanii var. rattanii grows in Grassy slopes in grand-fir/sitka-spruce, redwood, mixed-evergreen forests.
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.