Erythranthe exigua
San bernardino mountains monkeyflower, eye strain monkeyflower
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Phrymaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Erythranthe exigua (San bernardino mountains monkeyflower) is a native California herb in the Phrymaceae family, recognized by extremely small size and lavender flowers distinguish from others.
San bernardino mountains monkeyflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the San Bernardino Mountains on gentle slopes and along small streams in clay soils at elevations of 1,800 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces delicate lavender flowers with small tube-like throats nestled above slender pedicels. Growing as a diminutive plant just 2 to 10 centimeters tall, it features minutely puberulent stems with sparse, narrow leaves. Its leaves are 2 to 8 millimeters long, narrowly elliptic to narrowly ovate, growing closely along the slender stem. The fruit is small and nearly spherical, measuring 3 to 4 millimeters and slightly larger than the plant's calyx.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; extremely small size and lavender flowers distinguish from others
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gentle slopes, along small streams, runoff areas in clay soils
Elevation: 1800-2300 m
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Erythranthe exigua blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
Frequently asked questions
Is Erythranthe exigua native to California?
Yes. Erythranthe exigua is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erythranthe exigua bloom?
Erythranthe exigua blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Erythranthe exigua belong to?
Erythranthe exigua is in the Phrymaceae family, genus Erythranthe.
Is Erythranthe exigua rare or endangered?
Erythranthe exigua carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1S2.
What habitat does Erythranthe exigua grow in?
Erythranthe exigua grows in Gentle slopes, along small streams, runoff areas in clay soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Erythranthe filicaulis — Slender-stemmed monkeyflower
- Erythranthe filicifolia — Fernleaf monkeyflower
- Erythranthe floribunda — Many-flowered monkeyflower
- Erythranthe geniculata — Bent-stem monkeyflower
- Erythranthe glaucescens — Shield-bracted monkeyflower
- Erythranthe gracilipes — Slender-stalked monkeyflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.