Penstemon thompsoniae
Thompson's beardtongue
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Penstemon thompsoniae (Thompson's beardtongue) is a native California subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by prostrate matted habit with distinctive ashy scale-like hairs.
Thompson's beardtongue is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the eastern Desert Mountains, specifically the New York and Clark Mountain Ranges, in white calcareous soil within pinyon and juniper woodland at elevations of 1,700 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces violet to blue flowers 10 to 18 millimeters long with a pale yellow-hairy flower floor. Growing as a low, prostrate herb 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms a distinctive matted growth habit with ashy, appressed, backward-pointing scale-like hairs. Its leaves are small, 5 to 20 millimeters long, with a somewhat obovate shape and petioled base. The staminode is notably adorned with dense orange to golden-yellow hairs, adding a striking textural element to the plant.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; prostrate matted habit with distinctive ashy scale-like hairs
Habitat and range
Habitat: White calcareous soil in pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1700-1900 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Penstemon thompsoniae blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 thompsoniae native to California?
Yes. Penstemon thompsoniae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon thompsoniae bloom?
Penstemon thompsoniae blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Penstemon thompsoniae grow?
Penstemon thompsoniae occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1700-1900 m.
What plant family does Penstemon thompsoniae belong to?
Penstemon thompsoniae is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon thompsoniae rare or endangered?
Penstemon thompsoniae carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S1.
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.