Taxon Report

Erythranthe rhodopetra N.S. Fraga

Red Rock Canyon monkeyflower

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Erythranthe rhodopetra, commonly known as Red Rock Canyon monkeyflower, is a annual herb in the Phrymaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Mojavean desert scrub, growing at elevations from 610 to 915 meters. Erythranthe rhodopetra is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Erythranthe rhodopetra N.S. Fraga
Common Name:	Red Rock Canyon monkeyflower
Family:	Phrymaceae
Element Code:	PDPHR01040
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual herb
Blooming Period: Mar-Apr	Mar-Apr
Elevation:	610-915 (2000-3000)
General Habitats:	Mojavean desert scrub
Microhabitat:	Sandy, Washes
Microhabitat Details:	canyon washes

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.1
Global Rank:	G1
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S; SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:	added to 1B.1 on 2013-07-08

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	6
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	6

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Kern (KRN)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Cantil (3511738), El Paso Peaks (3511746), Johannesburg (3511736), Saltdale NW (3511748)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	4
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	4	67 %
ORV activity	4	66%
Road/trail construction/maint.	3	50%
Foot traffic/trampling	1	16%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	1	16%

Notes



Known only from the El Paso Mtns. Many occurrences historical; need field surveys. Possibly threatened by mining, vehicles, recreational activities, foot traffic, and non-native plants. Previously identified as, and similar to, E. palmeri. Not in TJM 2. See Aliso 30(1):49-68 (2012) for original description.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2013-07-08

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 14 November 2025].