Susanville Beardtongue
(Penstemon sudans )
Scropulariaceae

Photo Copyright 2002 Dean Wm. Taylor

Description: Perennial herb 18 to 28 inches (3 to 7 dm) tall, densely sticky and hairy (glandular) throughout. Leaves pear-shaped with sharp-toothed edges, 1 1/8 - 2 3/8 inches (3-6cm) long. Flowers cream-white colored and dark-lined, 3/8 inch (9-11mm) long. Fruit is a capsule.

Distribution:

Modoc Plateau and southern high Cascade Range and northern Sierra Nevada high. Diamond Mtn north to Observation Peak to Termo.

Habitat: Open, rocky, igneous soils in sagebrush shrub, yellow-pine, and montane forests. Elevation 3840 - 5856 feet.

Flowering Period: Blooms June - July.

Similar Plants: P. deustus  which is smaller (less than 18 inches), slightly glandular, and has a decumbent (bent) base.  The range supposedly does not overlap

Status: BLM Sensitive, California Native Plant Society List 1B