Erythranthe norrisii
Kaweah monkeyflower
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Phrymaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Erythranthe norrisii (Kaweah monkeyflower) is a native California herb in the Phrymaceae family, recognized by distinctive red-purple spots and negative phototropism.
Kaweah monkeyflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills in the Kaweah River drainage of Tulare County, growing in marble crevices at elevations of 600 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces yellow flowers with a distinctive red-purple dot at the base of each lobe and occasional white dots between flower sinuses. Growing 3 to 15 centimeters tall with ascending stems that are noticeably hairy, it develops delicate branching structures. Its leaves are ovate, 15 to 45 millimeters long with pinnate veins, tapering gently toward the petiole. The fruit is small, 4 to 6 millimeters long and late-dehiscent, completing the plant's compact annual lifecycle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; distinctive red-purple spots and negative phototropism
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marble crevices
Elevation: 600-1300 m
Bloom period
Erythranthe norrisii blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
Frequently asked questions
Is Erythranthe norrisii native to California?
Yes. Erythranthe norrisii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erythranthe norrisii bloom?
Erythranthe norrisii blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Erythranthe norrisii belong to?
Erythranthe norrisii is in the Phrymaceae family, genus Erythranthe.
Is Erythranthe norrisii rare or endangered?
Erythranthe norrisii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Erythranthe norrisii grow in?
Erythranthe norrisii grows in Marble crevices.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.