Penstemon rupicola
Cliff beardtongue
(c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by J Brew · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Penstemon rupicola (Cliff beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by round petiolate leaves and flat-spreading woolly anthers diagnostic.
Cliff beardtongue is a California native subshrub found in the Klamath Ranges and High Cascade Range on rocky outcrops and slopes in Douglas-fir forests at elevations of 1,300 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces rose, lavender, or violet flowers 25 to 38 millimeters long with a distinctive glabrous flower floor. Growing as a low-spreading mat just 5 to 14 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters with herbage that is spreading-hairy. Its basal leaves are widely obovate to nearly round, 7 to 20 millimeters long, with a bluish-green (glaucous) appearance and nearly entire edges. The plant features a glandular inflorescence with a calyx 4 to 10 millimeters long and lance-shaped lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 34 sympatric species; round petiolate leaves and flat-spreading woolly anthers diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Outcrops, rocky slopes in Douglas-fir forest
Elevation: 1300-2300 m
California counties: Del Norte, Trinity, Siskiyou, Shasta, Lake, Tehama, Mono, Mendocino
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Penstemon rupicola 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 rupicola native to California?
Yes. Penstemon rupicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon rupicola bloom?
Penstemon rupicola blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Penstemon rupicola grow?
Penstemon rupicola occurs in Del Norte, Trinity, Siskiyou, Shasta, Lake, Tehama, Mono, Mendocino, at elevations of 1300-2300 m.
What plant family does Penstemon rupicola belong to?
Penstemon rupicola is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
What habitat does Penstemon rupicola grow in?
Penstemon rupicola grows in Outcrops, rocky slopes in Douglas-fir 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.