Penstemon spectabilis var. subviscosus

Showy penstemon

Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Showy penstemon is a California native perennial found in the Transverse Ranges in gravelly and sandy slopes, banks of washes, coastal-sage scrub, chaparral, and oak woodland at elevations of 500 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces flowers with distinctive glandular characteristics in an inflorescence that catches the eye. Growing with upright stems that form clumps in the dry landscape, it develops a robust presence in its native habitat. Its leaves are likely arranged oppositely, contributing to the plant's architectural structure in arid environments. The glandular nature of its flowering structures suggests a unique adaptation to the challenging conditions of its native range.

Habitat: Gravelly and sandy slopes, banks of washes, coastal-sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodland

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: 500-1400 m

Bioregions: TR.

California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Diego

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.