Diplacus linearis
Monterey monkeyflower
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Phrymaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Diplacus linearis (Monterey monkeyflower) is a native California shrub in the Phrymaceae family, recognized by found in well-drained sites and rock crevices.
Monterey monkeyflower is a California native shrub found in coastal regions on well-drained, exposed sites including rock crevices and boulder outcrops at elevations of 100 to 300 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces yellow-orange flowers with distinctive two-lobed petals in delicate blooms measuring 35 to 45 millimeters long. Growing as a subshrub with minutely coarse-hairy stems, it develops compact clusters of blossoms with one to two flowers per node. Its narrow leaves are elliptic with slightly serrated edges that curl under during dry conditions, remaining glabrous and adaptable to exposed habitats. The fruit develops 18 to 31 millimeters long, splitting along its upper suture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; found in well-drained sites and rock crevices
Habitat and range
Habitat: Well-drained, exposed sites; crevices in boulders or rock outcrops
Elevation: 100-300 m
Bloom period
Diplacus linearis blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Erythranthe: Diplacus has a corolla that withers and stays attached and typically grows in dry, rocky places; Erythranthe drops its corolla cleanly and favors wet seeps and streambanks.; vs Mimulus: Diplacus covers the shrubby and small annual western monkeyflowers with ribbed, inflating calyces; Mimulus (in the strict sense) is a fleshy-stemmed perennial with squarish 4-angled stems.; vs Mimetanthe: Diplacus is puberulent to glandular with a distinctly 2-lipped flower; Mimetanthe is densely long-soft-wavy-hairy with tiny yellow flowers and a nearly regular calyx.; vs Collinsia: Diplacus has an open funnel-throated corolla and a 5-ribbed calyx; Collinsia has a sharply 2-lipped flower with the middle lower lobe folded into a keel that hides the stamens.; vs Antirrhinum: Diplacus has an open-throated corolla and free calyx lobes; Antirrhinum (snapdragon) has a closed, pouched throat sealed by a palate and a spurless sac at the base.
Frequently asked questions
Is Diplacus linearis native to California?
Yes. Diplacus linearis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Diplacus linearis bloom?
Diplacus linearis blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Diplacus linearis belong to?
Diplacus linearis is in the Phrymaceae family, genus Diplacus.
What habitat does Diplacus linearis grow in?
Diplacus linearis grows in Well-drained, exposed sites; crevices in boulders or rock outcrops.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.