Erythranthe palmeri
Phytoneuron 2012-39: 35. 2012.
Annuals, taprooted. Stems erect, simple or branched from basal nodes, 4–17 cm, minutely puberulent. Leaves cauline, basal not persistent; petiole 0 mm; blade pinnately veined, palmately 3-veined (in broader ones), linear to oblanceolate, (3–) 4–17 × 1–4 mm, base attenuate, margins entire, apex acute to obtuse, surfaces minutely puberulent. Flowers herkogamous, 1–36, from distal or medial to distal nodes. Fruiting pedicels spreading horizontally, 5–33 mm. Fruiting calyces sometimes red-spotted on ribs, becoming straw colored, cylindric, 4–8 mm, margins distinctly toothed or lobed, glabrous, ribs weak, lobes pronounced, erect, margins ciliate. Corollas pink to purple, abaxial limb with 2 yellow ridges, bilaterally symmetric, strongly bilabiate; tube-throat funnelform, 6–15 mm, exserted beyond calyx margin; limb expanded 8–15 mm, lobes deeply notched, abaxial limb sparsely bearded. Styles glabrous. Anthers included, glabrous. Capsules included, 4–8 mm.
Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jun.
Habitat: Moist areas in openings in pine forest and desert chaparral transitions.
Elevation: 900–2200 m.
Discussion
Erythranthe palmeri has been confused with other closely related species, including E. diffusa, E. discolor (pink form), E. rhodopetra, and E. sierrae. It was previously thought to be a widely distributed species because of this taxonomic confusion but now is regarded as endemic to the Transverse Range in the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains.
Selected References
None.