Taxon Report

Diplacus vandenbergensis (D.M. Thomps.) G.L. Nesom

Vandenberg monkeyflower

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Diplacus vandenbergensis, commonly known as Vandenberg monkeyflower, is a annual herb in the Phrymaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, and Coastal dunes, growing at elevations from 60 to 120 meters. Diplacus vandenbergensis is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Diplacus vandenbergensis (D.M. Thomps.) G.L. Nesom
Common Name:	Vandenberg monkeyflower
Family:	Phrymaceae
Element Code:	PDSCR1B381
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:	Mimulus fremontii var. vandenbergensis

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jun	Apr-Jun
Elevation:	60-120 (195-395)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Coastal dunes
Microhabitat:	Disturbed areas (often), Sandy
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.1
Global Rank:	G1
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	FE
Other Status:	SB_SBBG
CRPR Changes:	added to 1B.1 on 2006-06-07

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	17
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	3
Fair (C)	1
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	13

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Santa Barbara (SBA)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Lompoc (3412064), Los Alamos (3412063), Surf (3412065)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	7
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	4	24 %
Non-native plant impacts	4	23%
Other	3	17%
Foot traffic/trampling	2	11%
Development	1	5%
ORV activity	1	5%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	1	5%
Road/trail construction/maint.	1	5%

Notes



Threatened by development, vehicles, and non-native plants. See Systematic Botany Monographs 75:134 (2005) for original description, Phytoneuron 2012-39:1-60 (2012) and Phytoneuron 2012-47:1-6 (2012) for revised nomenclature, and the latter also for taxonomic treatment.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 24 October 2025].