Penstemon rostriflorus
Beaked penstemon
(c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Hilton · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon rostriflorus (Beaked penstemon) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by hooded upper lip and reflexed lower lip unique.
Beaked penstemon is a California native shrub found in central and southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, southern eastern Sierra Nevada, and desert mountains in dry sagebrush, Joshua-tree scrub, pinyon and juniper woodland, and montane forest at elevations of 500 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces red to orange flowers 22 to 33 millimeters long with an upper lip forming a hood over anthers and a strongly reflexed lower lip. Growing with woody-branched clumps 30 to 100 centimeters tall, it has either glabrous stems or stems that are finely hairy near the base. Its cauline leaves are 20 to 70 millimeters long, ranging from linear to lanceolate and entirely edged. The inflorescence is glandular, with flowers featuring a calyx 4 to 8 millimeters long with lanceolate to narrowly ovate lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 49 sympatric species; hooded upper lip and reflexed lower lip unique
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry sagebrush or Joshua-tree scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland, montane forest
Elevation: 500-3500 m
California counties: Kern, Mono, Tuolumne, Los Angeles, Tulare, Inyo, San Bernardino, Fresno, Ventura, Riverside, Madera, San Diego, Mariposa, San Luis Obispo, Alpine, Modoc, Santa Barbara
Outside California: to Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Penstemon rostriflorus 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 rostriflorus native to California?
Yes. Penstemon rostriflorus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon rostriflorus bloom?
Penstemon rostriflorus blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Penstemon rostriflorus grow?
Penstemon rostriflorus occurs in Kern, Mono, Tuolumne, Los Angeles, Tulare, Inyo, San Bernardino, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of 500-3500 m.
What plant family does Penstemon rostriflorus belong to?
Penstemon rostriflorus is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon rostriflorus grow in?
Penstemon rostriflorus grows in dry sagebrush or Joshua-tree scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland, 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.