Erythranthe discolor
Two-colored monkeyflower
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Phrymaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Erythranthe discolor (Two-colored monkeyflower) is a native California annual in the Phrymaceae family, recognized by flowers yellow or deep pink to purple with funnel-shaped tube.
Two-colored monkeyflower is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native annual found in Sierra Nevada Mountains in openings along small streams and meadow edges with granitic soils at elevations of 1,300 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces yellow or deep pink to purple flowers with a lower limb that is sparsely bearded. Growing 5 to 12 centimeters tall with glandular-puberulent stems, it has a delicate, compact form. Its leaves are narrow, 6 to 25 millimeters long and 1 to 4 millimeters wide, ranging from linear to oblanceolate in shape. The plant produces small fruits 4 to 7 millimeters long, complementing its diminutive stature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; flowers yellow or deep pink to purple with funnel-shaped tube
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings along small streams, meadow edges, generally in granitic soils
Elevation: 1300-2500 m
Bloom period
Erythranthe discolor blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
Frequently asked questions
Is Erythranthe discolor native to California?
Yes. Erythranthe discolor is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erythranthe discolor bloom?
Erythranthe discolor blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Erythranthe discolor belong to?
Erythranthe discolor is in the Phrymaceae family, genus Erythranthe.
Is Erythranthe discolor rare or endangered?
Erythranthe discolor carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Erythranthe discolor grow in?
Erythranthe discolor grows in Openings along small streams, meadow edges, generally in granitic soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Erythranthe erubescens — California blushing monkeyflower
- Erythranthe exigua — San bernardino mountains monkeyflower
- Erythranthe filicaulis — Slender-stemmed monkeyflower
- Erythranthe filicifolia — Fernleaf monkeyflower
- Erythranthe floribunda — Many-flowered monkeyflower
- Erythranthe geniculata — Bent-stem monkeyflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.