Flower color ranges from red to orange. This species is adapted for hummingbird rather than insect pollination, with reddish or orange narrow tube-shaped flowers, little odor, ample dilute nectar,  no landing platform, weak nectar guide, and exserted anthers and stigmas. James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Beach, CA. 6-13-09. © Joan Avise

Heart-leaved Bush Penstemon

Keckiella cordifolia

Common in chaparral and sometimes oak woodland in canyons and on hillsides in part shade in San Joaquin Hills, foothills and Santa Ana Mountains. All the Penstemons (beardtongues) are perennials with opposite leaves and flowers with one pistil and 5 stamens, only four of which are fertile.  The fifth sterile stamen (staminode) has no anther, is often bearded and is thought to serve as a nectar guide for pollinators.
Bush penstemon (Keckiella) are distinguished from Penstemon by the base of the
fertile stamens (hairless in penstemon, vs. basally hairy in Keckiella) and
their attachment to the corolla (Keckiella, attached to the corolla at the same
level, Penstemon, attached at different levels) (Clarke).

Plantaginaceae

Back to Plantaginaceae of Orange County, California
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San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-18-10. © Joan Avise


Five pointed green unequal sepals covering tube base San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-18-10. © Joan Avise

Canes bend down, with opposite leaves. Leaves are smooth to partially serrated, oval and heart-shaped with age. Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, CA. 5-02-09. © Joan Avise
Flowers at the end of arching canes. San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-18-10. © Joan Avise

San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA 7-18-10. © Joan Avise
Four stamens with anthers, one staminode with broadened tip, one pistil. The staminode is broadened with hairs on one side, resembling a toothbrush. San Juan Loop Trail 7-18-10. © Joan Avise

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 6-13-09. © Joan Avise
Grows over other plants for support. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 6-13-09. © Joan Avise

Supported by Laurel Sumac. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 6-13-09. © Joan Avise