Scarlet Monkeyflower (Erythranthe cardinalis) is in the lopseed family family (Phrymaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,248 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to September, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Scarlet Monkeyflower: observations by month (U.S.)
About Scarlet Monkeyflower
Erythranthe cardinalis, the scarlet monkeyflower, is a flowering perennial in the family Phrymaceae. Together with other species in Mimulus section Erythranthe, it serves as a model system for studying pollinator-based reproductive isolation. It was formerly known as Mimulus cardinalis.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Scarlet Monkeyflower by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,169 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Oregon | 77 | July | Jun–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (lopseed family)
Allegheny monkeyflower
Orange Bush Monkeyflower
Seep Monkeyflower
Lewis' monkeyflower
Sharpwing Monkeyflower
Red Bush Monkeyflower
Southern Bush Monkeyflower
Shy Monkeyflower
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Scarlet Monkeyflower?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to September.
Where is Scarlet Monkeyflower most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon.