Penstemon utahensis
Utah beardtongue
(c) Connor Long, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Penstemon utahensis (Utah beardtongue) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by thick glaucous leaves and pink-red flowers.
Utah beardtongue is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the eastern desert mountains including Kingston and New York Mountains in sagebrush scrub and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 1,200 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces pink to red flowers with a cylindric to funnel-shaped corolla 17 to 25 millimeters long. Growing 15 to 50 centimeters tall with a glaucous, glabrous appearance, it develops a robust perennial structure. Its thick leaves are generally folded lengthwise, with basal leaves well developed and upper stem leaves 15 to 55 millimeters long, approximately lanceolate and entire. The flower's distinctive staminode is glabrous or has a minutely hairy tip, adding to its unique botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; thick glaucous leaves and pink-red flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1200-1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Penstemon utahensis blooms Apr-May.
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 utahensis native to California?
Yes. Penstemon utahensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Penstemon utahensis bloom?
Penstemon utahensis blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Penstemon utahensis grow?
Penstemon utahensis occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, at elevations of 1200-1800 m.
What plant family does Penstemon utahensis belong to?
Penstemon utahensis is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Penstemon.
Is Penstemon utahensis rare or endangered?
Penstemon utahensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Penstemon venustus — Venus penstemon
- Penstemon albomarginatus — White-margined beardtongue
- Penstemon anguineus — Siskiyou beardtongue
- Penstemon azureus — Azure penstemon
- Penstemon azureus var. angustissimus — Azure penstemon
- Penstemon azureus var. azureus — Azure penstemon
- Plantaginaceae sp. — Plantain family
- Plantago arenaria — Indian plantain
- Plantago aristata — Bristly plantain
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.