Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Penstemon grinnellii is a species of penstemon known by the common name Grinnell's beardtongue. It is endemic to California, where it can be found in several mountain ranges from those around the San Francisco Bay Area to the Sierra Nevada to the Peninsular Ranges near the Mexican border. It is a perennial herb producing upright stems growing to 85 centimeters in maximum height. The leaves are oblong, up to 9 centimeters in length, folded lengthwise and curved backward. The hairy flower cluster produces several tubular purple-tinged white or violet flowers 1 to 2 centimeters long. The mouth of the flower has three lower lobes streaked with dark lines, a hairy throat and a long-haired, protruding staminode.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

4 - 34 in Tall

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Color

Purple, Lavender, White

Flowering season

Spring, Summer

Special uses

Containers, Deer resistant

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Tolerates a variety of soils as long as adequate drainage is provided.

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment; 1-2 mos. stratification may improve germination.

Plant communities

Foothill Woodland, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Red Fir Forest, Yellow Pine Forest

Hummingbirds
Bats
Birds
Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 15 likely

Confirmed Likely

Geranium Plume Moth

Amblyptilia pica

Archirhoe neomexicana

Verbena Bud Moth

Endothenia hebesana

Anicia Checkerspot

Euphydryas anicia