Penstemon sudans
Susanville beardtongue
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Penstemon sudans (Susanville beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by sticky glandular herbage and cream-white dark-lined flowers diagnostic.
Susanville beardtongue is a California native perennial found in southern California Ranges and Modoc Plateau in open, rocky, igneous soils within sagebrush scrub, yellow-pine and montane forests at elevations of 1,200 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces cream-white flowers with dark lines, approximately 9 to 11 millimeters long. Growing 40 to 70 centimeters tall with glandular-hairy, sticky stems throughout its length, the plant has a distinctively tacky texture. Its cauline leaves are ovate, 30 to 60 millimeters long with serrated edges, arranged along the stem. The flower's calyx measures 3.5 to 5.5 millimeters with lanceolate to ovate lobes, and its staminode is generally glabrous.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; sticky glandular herbage and cream-white dark-lined flowers diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky, igneous soils in sagebrush scrub, yellow-pine and montane forests
Elevation: 1200-2200 m
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Penstemon sudans blooms May-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 sudans native to California?
Yes. Penstemon sudans is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon sudans bloom?
Penstemon sudans blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Penstemon sudans belong to?
Penstemon sudans is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon sudans rare or endangered?
Penstemon sudans carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Penstemon sudans grow in?
Penstemon sudans grows in Open, rocky, igneous soils in sagebrush scrub, yellow-pine and montane forests.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.