San Jacinto Beardtongue [Penstemon clevelandii Gray var. connatus (Munz & Jtn.) Holmgren]
Listing CNPS List 4 R-E-D Code 1-1-1
State/Federal. Status -- None SCROPHULARIACEAE Mar.-May
Global Rank G?T3T4 State Rank S2?
Distribution: San Diego County, Riverside County, and Imperial County; Baja California, Mexico
Habitat: Montane Chaparral openings are used by San Jacinto Beardtongue near Santa Rosa Peak. Chaparral is relatively dense here and of considerable height.
Known Sites: No recent San Diego County sightings are known. Reports are all from a very narrow range near Garnet Peak. On the Palms to Pines Highway in Riverside County this species occurs along the road near the Santa Rosa Peak turnoff, south of Pinyon Pines. It is localized along Santa Rosa Peak Road, sometimes occupying mildly disturbed roadcuts.
Status: San Jacinto Beardtongue is presumed stable within its limited range along the desert-facing slopes of the Peninsular Range. Its specific status in San Diego County is unknown; more collection information is needed. All substantial populations should be protected. A note in the Jepson Manual (1993) mentions this plant may warrant full species status.
Copyright © May 1994 Craig H. Reiser.