Grinnell'S Beardtongue
ExplorePlants
Grinnell'S Beardtongue
penstemon grinnellii
Grinnell's Beardtongue is an eye-catching, hardy perennial wildflower native to the mountains of Southern California and the southern Sierra Nevada. Thriving in sandy, rocky soils, it often colonizes open spaces, pine forests, and chaparral zones. This plant belongs to the massive genus Penstemon, which is famous for its tube-shaped flowers. What makes Grinnell's Beardtongue particularly beloved by hikers is its robust nature and the sheer abundance of its blossoms, which put on a spectacular display in early summer. It plays a critical role in its native montane ecosystems, offering a rich source of nectar when many other spring wildflowers have already faded. Its resilience against dry, high-altitude conditions highlights the incredible adaptability of California's native flora.
Habitat: Found on dry, rocky or sandy slopes within yellow pine forests, chaparral, and montane scrub communities of Southern California.
Appearance
This species is a low, bushy herb growing up to 90 centimeters tall, featuring lance-shaped, grey-green leaves with distinctly toothed margins. The inflorescence consists of wide-mouthed, tubular flowers that range in color from pale lavender to pinkish-white. Inside the gaping throat of each flower are prominent, dark reddish-purple nectar guide lines that point toward the nectar source, as well as a prominent, sterile golden-yellow stamen densely covered in fine hairs, giving it a characteristic 'bearded' appearance. The entire plant, especially the flowering stems, is coated in sticky glandular hairs that glisten under direct sunlight.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPlantaginaceaeGenusPenstemon
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
The common name 'beardtongue' refers to the prominent sterile stamen inside the flower, which is covered in fuzzy golden hairs.
The sticky secretions on the plant's stems function like flypaper, stopping nectar-robbing ants from crawling up the plant.
This species is named in honor of Joseph Grinnell, an influential early 20th-century California zoologist and naturalist.
Special abilities
Ability
Pollinator Runway
Uses vivid purple nectar-guide lines inside the flower throat to direct bees and hummingbirds efficiently to its pollen.
Ability
Glandular Shield
Produces sticky hairs on its stems and flowers to deter crawling insect thieves, such as ants, from stealing nectar.
Ability
Drought Endurance
Utilizes a deep taproot and tough, leathery foliage to thrive and flower during dry Mediterranean summers.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 30-90 cm
- Weight
- 0.1-0.8 kg
- Lifespan
- 3-10 years
Diet & Feeding
As a photosynthetic plant, Grinnell's Beardtongue manufactures its own energy using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon Dioxide
- Soil Minerals
Ecological connections
mutualism
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Hunt's Bumble Bee
Bombus huntii
Provides a crucial nectar source and is actively pollinated by bumble bees.
eaten by
Chalcedon Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona
Serves as a host plant for caterpillars, which feed on its foliage.
mutualism
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
Attracts hummingbirds looking for rich nectar rewards in montane habitats.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Grinnell'S Beardtongue?
The easiest way to identify Grinnell'S Beardtongue is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Grinnell'S Beardtongue?
30-90 cm
How much does Grinnell'S Beardtongue weigh?
0.1-0.8 kg
How long does Grinnell'S Beardtongue live?
3-10 years
What does Grinnell'S Beardtongue eat?
As a photosynthetic plant, Grinnell's Beardtongue manufactures its own energy using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Where is Grinnell'S Beardtongue usually found?
Found on dry, rocky or sandy slopes within yellow pine forests, chaparral, and montane scrub communities of Southern California.
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