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Keckiella cordifolia
Keckiella cordifolia (Benth.) Straw
Heartleaf Keckiella, Heart-leaf Bush-beardtongue, Climbing Penstemon, Heartleaf Penstemon
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s): Penstemon cordifolius
USDA Symbol: KECO
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Heart-leaf Bush-beardtongue or Climbing Penstemon is a sprawling perennial that is evergreen in mild, wetter years or deciduous in less mild or drought conditions. The plant is vine-like, crawling through chaparral shrubs. Leaves are bright green and the tubular flowers are a showy red-orange.
From the Image Gallery
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Stems climbing, up to about 10 feet long.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , OrangeBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: San Luis Obispo Co., s. through cismontane CA
Native Habitat: Dry, brushy slopes & canyons below 4000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: This species is drought tolerant and deer proof. Shrubby keckiellas tend to become straggly and may require drastic pruning.
Propagation
Description: Propagate using half-woody cuttings, layering or seed.Seed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
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
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 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 Keckiella cordifolia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Keckiella cordifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Keckiella cordifolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-15Research By: TWC Staff