Penstemon scapoides
Pinyon beardtongue
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Penstemon scapoides (Pinyon beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by distinctive scapose habit with dense basal mat.
Pinyon beardtongue is a native shrub found in western Inyo and northern Desert Mountains (Last Chance Range) in sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper, and bristlecone-pine woodland at elevations of 2,000 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces pale lavender to purple or blue flowers 25 to 34 millimeters long with a yellow-hairy flower floor. Growing as a subshrub 15 to 60 centimeters tall with a woody-branched base and glaucous, glabrous stems, it forms a dense basal mat. Its leaves are densely hairy, with small basal leaves 1.5 to 6 millimeters long, ovate to nearly round, and a few narrow linear to oblanceolate cauline leaves. The plant's distinctive glandular inflorescence and pale yellow-hairy staminode contribute to its unique character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; distinctive scapose habit with dense basal mat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper, and bristlecone-pine woodland
Elevation: 2000-3200 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo
Bloom period
Penstemon scapoides blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 scapoides native to California?
Yes. Penstemon scapoides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon scapoides bloom?
Penstemon scapoides blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Penstemon scapoides grow?
Penstemon scapoides occurs in Mono, Inyo, at elevations of 2000-3200 m.
What plant family does Penstemon scapoides belong to?
Penstemon scapoides is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon scapoides rare or endangered?
Penstemon scapoides carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
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.