Erythranthe filicaulis
Slender-stemmed monkeyflower
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Phrymaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Erythranthe filicaulis (Slender-stemmed monkeyflower) is a native California annual in the Phrymaceae family, recognized by distinctive color pattern with rose-purple and yellow markings.
Slender-stemmed monkeyflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains in Tuolumne and Mariposa counties, growing in disturbed, moist loamy soils at elevations of 1,200 to 1,750 meters. Flowering from May to July, this delicate plant produces rose-purple flowers with dark red-purple throat marks and yellow accents on lower lobes, approximately 13 to 17 millimeters long. Growing 4 to 30 centimeters tall with densely puberulent stems, it forms a slender and compact structure. Its leaves range 8 to 23 millimeters long, varying from linear to oblanceolate in shape, adding to its delicate appearance. The fruit develops 5.5 to 6.5 millimeters long, with a calyx that becomes widely corky-ribbed and often red-brown spotted.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; distinctive color pattern with rose-purple and yellow markings
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed, moist loamy soil, generally in partial shade
Elevation: 1200-1750 m
Bloom period
Erythranthe filicaulis blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
Frequently asked questions
Is Erythranthe filicaulis native to California?
Yes. Erythranthe filicaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erythranthe filicaulis bloom?
Erythranthe filicaulis blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Erythranthe filicaulis belong to?
Erythranthe filicaulis is in the Phrymaceae family, genus Erythranthe.
Is Erythranthe filicaulis rare or endangered?
Erythranthe filicaulis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Erythranthe filicaulis grow in?
Erythranthe filicaulis grows in Disturbed, moist loamy soil, generally in partial shade.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Erythranthe filicifolia — Fernleaf monkeyflower
- Erythranthe floribunda — Many-flowered monkeyflower
- Erythranthe geniculata — Bent-stem monkeyflower
- Erythranthe glaucescens — Shield-bracted monkeyflower
- Erythranthe gracilipes — Slender-stalked monkeyflower
- Erythranthe grandis — Magnificent seep monkeyflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.