Diplacus puniceus
Red bush monkeyflower
(c) Millie Basden, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Millie Basden · licence
Family: Phrymaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Diplacus puniceus (Red bush monkeyflower) is a native California shrub in the Phrymaceae family, recognized by rolled leaf margins and flower color/size.
Red bush monkeyflower is a California native shrub found in the southwestern bioregion in granite outcrops, chaparral openings, and disturbed areas at elevations of 100 to 700 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces dark orange to red flowers with 2 to 4 blooms per node, creating a vibrant display. Growing with erect stems and a subshrub form, it reaches a moderate height with uniform green foliage. Its leaves are distinctively linear with edges tightly rolled under, creating a sleek and compact appearance. The fruit develops 14 to 22 millimeters long, splitting at the upper suture when mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; distinguished by rolled leaf margins and flower color/size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granite outcrops, openings in chaparral, disturbed areas
Elevation: 100-700 m
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Diplacus puniceus 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 puniceus native to California?
Yes. Diplacus puniceus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Diplacus puniceus bloom?
Diplacus puniceus blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Diplacus puniceus belong to?
Diplacus puniceus is in the Phrymaceae family, genus Diplacus.
What habitat does Diplacus puniceus grow in?
Diplacus puniceus grows in Granite outcrops, openings in chaparral, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
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.