Erythranthe inflatula

Ephemeral monkeyflower, disappearing monkeyflower

Family: Phrymaceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Ephemeral monkeyflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the Modoc Plateau in rocky, moist gravel areas previously flooded at elevations of 1,200 to 1,700 meters. Flowering in July, this plant produces yellow flowers with a tube-throat 4 to 9.5 millimeters long, nestled among delicate green foliage. Growing 6 to 25 centimeters tall with glandular-puberulent stems, it spreads in low, compact clusters among rocky terrain. Its leaves are broadly ovate to lance-shaped, measuring 1 to 4 centimeters long, sessile except near the plant's base. The fruit develops 5 to 9 millimeters long, with calyx lobes swelling to 7 to 11 millimeters after flowering.

Habitat: Among rocks and boulders on moist gravel, previously flooded

Bloom period: Jul

Elevation: 1200-1700 m

Bioregions: MP

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.