Native Plants
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Penstemon labrosus
Penstemon labrosus (A. Gray) Hook. f.
San Gabriel Penstemon, San Gabriel Beardtongue, Southern Scarlet Penstemon, Southern Scarlet Beardtongue
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: PELA6
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
With the smallest leaf mass of any penstemon, this plant’s leaves lay on the ground and blend in with the pine needles. The flowering stalks are 2 1/2 ft. tall and bear a series of strongly two-lipped, usually bright-red flowers.
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 30 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Orange , YellowBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Red to scarlet or orange, rarely yellow.
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: S. from the mts. of Ventura to San Diego Cos., CA
Native Habitat: Fairly dry, wooded slopes & benches; 5000-10,000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Description: Well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Needs about 12-15 in. of precipitation per year. This is an easy plant to grow. It is garden-, cold- and shade-tolerant.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Propagate using half-woody cuttings or seed.Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Penstemon labrosus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Penstemon labrosus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon labrosus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-22Research By: TWC Staff