Erythranthe dentata
Tooth-leaved monkeyflower
(c) Bill Bouton, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Phrymaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erythranthe dentata (Tooth-leaved monkeyflower) is a native California herb in the Phrymaceae family, recognized by perennial habit distinguishes from annuals, yellow flowers from red E. cardinalis.
Tooth-leaved monkeyflower is a California native perennial found in northern coastal areas of California on coastal streambanks, typically in partial shade at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with distinctive funnel-shaped corollas in tube-throats 15 to 30 millimeters long. Growing with ascending stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall and developing from rhizomes, the plant has a somewhat hairy appearance. Its leaves are ovate, 15 to 70 millimeters long, with pinnate veining and short petioles up to 12 millimeters. The fruit is approximately 8 to 9 millimeters long with slightly hairy calyx ribs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; perennial habit distinguishes from annuals, yellow flowers from red E. cardinalis
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal streambanks, generally in partial shade
Elevation: < 400 m
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Erythranthe dentata blooms May-Aug.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erythranthe dentata native to California?
Yes. Erythranthe dentata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erythranthe dentata bloom?
Erythranthe dentata blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Erythranthe dentata belong to?
Erythranthe dentata is in the Phrymaceae family, genus Erythranthe.
What habitat does Erythranthe dentata grow in?
Erythranthe dentata grows in Coastal streambanks, generally in partial shade.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Erythranthe diffusa — Palomar monkeyflower
- Erythranthe discolor — Two-colored monkeyflower
- Erythranthe erubescens — California blushing monkeyflower
- Erythranthe exigua — San bernardino mountains monkeyflower
- Erythranthe filicaulis — Slender-stemmed monkeyflower
- Erythranthe filicifolia — Fernleaf monkeyflower
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.