Erythranthe primuloides

Erythranthe primuloides is a species of monkeyflower known by the common name primrose monkeyflower. In California, it is found primarily in the north and in the Sierras, where it grows in wet habitat in mountains and plateau areas, such as streambanks. It is a perennial herb growing in low patches or mosslike mats and spreading via rhizome and stolon. The stem is no more than about 5 inches long. The oppositely arranged leaves are variable in shape, variable in color from green to purple-green, shaggy-hairy to hairless, and up to 2 inches long. The flower arises on an erect pedicel. The tubular base of the flower is encapsulated in a hairless calyx of sepals. The bright yellow flower is up to 3/4 inches long. It is divided into an upper lip with two lobes and a lower lip with three. Each of the three lower lobes are usually dotted with red.