Its stems are covered in fine, short hairs or in stiff backwards facing ones.

Their surface is hairless or faintly covered in fine hairs, but is never glaucous or waxy.

The flowers are tubular, blue-lavender to purple, and large relative to the short stature of the plant.

[4] The scientific description and name of Penstemon davidsonii of was published in 1892 by Edward Lee Greene.

[8] Like var davidsonii it grows on rocky outcrops, slopes, and ledges, but at much lower elevations.

In the state of Nevada known populations come from the Jackson Mountains and the Santa Rosa Range in Humboldt County.

[5] The conservation organization NatureServe evaluated Penstemon davidsonii in 2016 and rated it as apparently secure (G4).