Erythranthe discolor

Annuals, taprooted. Stems erect, simple or branched from basal nodes, 5–12 cm, sparsely glandular-pubescent, internodes elongate, distinct. Leaves cauline, basal not persistent; petiole 0–2 mm; blade 1-veined or palmately 3-veined (in broader ones), linear to lanceolate or ovate, 5–15 × 1–4 mm, base attenuate, margins entire, apex acute, surfaces sparsely glandular-pubescent. Flowers herkogamous, 1–8, from distal or medial to distal nodes. Fruiting pedicels erect to ascending, 6–11 (–32) mm. Fruiting calyces sometimes red-dotted on ribs, campanulate, 4–8 mm, margins distinctly toothed or lobed, sparsely glandular-pubescent, ribs weak, lobes pronounced, erect, margins glabrous. Corollas yellow and tube-throat adaxial surface red-tinged, abaxial limb red-spotted or deep pink to purple and abaxial limb with 2 yellow ridges, bilaterally symmetric, strongly bilabiate; tube-throat funnelform, 9–13 mm, exserted beyond calyx margin; limb expanded 7–15 mm, lobes notched, adaxial limb glabrous or sparsely bearded. Styles glabrous. Anthers included, glabrous. Capsules included, 5–8 mm.

Phenology: Flowering May–Jun.
Habitat: Moist open areas on gentle slopes in desert chaparral and pine transition areas.
Elevation: 1400–2700 m.

Calif.

Discussion

Erythranthe discolor has two distinctive floral morphs; one is yellow with red spots on the palate, the other is pink with two yellow ridges on the palate. Populations can be monomorphic (usually yellow) or mixed, with the yellow morph most often in higher frequency.

Erythranthe discolor was placed previously in synonymy with E. montioides, and the pink form of E. discolor has commonly been confused with E. palmeri. Erythranthe discolor is known to hybridize with E. barbata and is restricted to Kern and Tulare counties in the southern Sierra Nevada.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa