Each hairy, glandular flower is about 2 centimeters wide, with three lower lobes which lie flat or curve down and two upper lobes which join to form a helmet-shaped curved lip (galea). Inside the flower are shiny filamentous stamens holding anthers. Tenaja Falls Trail, San Mateo Wilderness, Riverside Co., CA. 7-4-11. © Joan Avise

Yellow Bush Penstemon

Keckiella antirrhinoides

Widespread in chaparral and sage scrub in northern foothills and Santa Ana Mountains, also occurring in in interior southern CA and Baja California (Clarke).  It is a drought-deciduous, densely branched shrub with short narrow leaves, growing to 4 ft in height. 

Plantaginaceae

Back to Plantaginaceae of Orange County, California
Back to Eudicots of Orange County, California
Back to Natural History of Orange County, California

In contrast to K. cordifolia, this species is adapted primarily for insect pollination with bright yellow color, strong fragrance, and  prominent long hairy staminode as nectar guide.  The corolla base is very short and almost completely encloses the nectary at the base of the ovary. Nectar can only be reached through slits obstructed by hairs between the filaments.  Tenaja Falls Trail, San Mateo Wilderness, Riverside Co., CA. 7-4-11. © Joan Avise
The galea arches over a horizontal landing platform formed by the lower lip and mouth rim.  Pollinators include the California Dogface Butterfly and the nectar-seeking bees Bombus and Xylocopa.  Tenaja Falls Trail, San Mateo Wilderness, Riverside Co., CA. 7-4-11. © Joan Avise

Tenaja Falls Trail, San Mateo Wilderness, Riverside Co., CA. 7-4-11. © Joan Avise
Tenaja Falls Trail, San Mateo Wilderness, Riverside Co., CA. 7-4-11. © Joan Avise

San Mateo Cyn., 2-25-16. © Ron Vanderhoff
Tenaja Falls Trail, San Mateo Wilderness, Riverside Co., CA. 7-4-11. © Joan Avise

Tenaja Falls Trail, San Mateo Wilderness, Riverside Co., CA. 7-4-11. © Joan Avise
Tenaja Falls Trail, San Mateo Wilderness, Riverside Co., CA. 7-4-11. © Joan Avise

Tenaja Falls Trail, San Mateo Wilderness, Riverside Co., CA. 7-4-11. © Joan Avise
Silverado Cyn, 2.20 rd. mi. past USFS gate, 7-4-13. © Ron Vanderhoff