About

Erythranthe, the monkey-flowers and musk-flowers, is a diverse plant genus with more than 120 members (as of 2022) in the family Phrymaceae. Erythranthe was originally described as a separate genus, then generally regarded as a section within the genus Mimulus, and recently returned to generic rank. Mimulus sect. Diplacus was segregated from Mimulus as a separate genus at the same time. Mimulus remains as a small genus of eastern North America and the Southern Hemisphere. Molecular data show Erythranthe and Diplacus to be distinct evolutionary lines that are distinct from Mimulus as strictly defined, although this nomenclature is controversial.

Member species are usually annuals or herbaceous perennials. Flowers are red, pink, or yellow, often in various combinations. A large number of the Erythranthe species grow in moist to wet soils with some growing even in shallow water.

Where it grows

Over 80% of Erythranthe species are found in western North America, especially California, Oregon, and Washington. Genus members are also found in Baja California, Alaska, British Columbia, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and to a lesser extent the midwestern states, northeastern states, Canada, and Latin America. Members of this genus are found in eastern Asia; several species of which have a high degree of similarity with some of the species found in North and South America.

Other Erythranthe plants

Cardinal monkey flower · Small Leaved Monkeyflower · Ephemeral Monkeyflower · Lewis' monkeyflower · Erythranthe naiandina · Erythranthe peregrina