Penstemon stephensii
Stephens' beardtongue
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Penstemon stephensii (Stephens' beardtongue) is a native California shrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by shrubby habit with small magenta flowers and serrate leaves.
Stephens' beardtongue is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in the desert mountains in rocky slopes, washes, and rock crevices within creosote-bush scrub and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 1,000 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces rose to magenta flowers with a distinctive 4 to 6 millimeter wide throat and two prominent ridges. Growing 30 to 150 centimeters tall with glabrous herbage and an upright form, it develops a compact shrub-like structure. Its triangular-ovate leaves are 25 to 50 millimeters long, finely and sharply serrate, with distinctive pairs of leaves fused at the base. The flower's unique glandular corolla and included staminode contribute to its remarkable appearance in desert habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; shrubby habit with small magenta flowers and serrate leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, washes, rock crevices in creosote-bush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1000-2200 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino
Bloom period
Penstemon stephensii blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 stephensii native to California?
Yes. Penstemon stephensii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon stephensii bloom?
Penstemon stephensii blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Penstemon stephensii grow?
Penstemon stephensii occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, at elevations of 1000-2200 m.
What plant family does Penstemon stephensii belong to?
Penstemon stephensii is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon stephensii rare or endangered?
Penstemon stephensii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.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.