Shy Monkeyflower (Erythranthe nasuta) is in the lopseed family family (Phrymaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,285 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Shy Monkeyflower: observations by month (U.S.)
About Shy Monkeyflower
Erythranthe nasuta is a species of monkeyflower. It was formerly known as Mimulus nasutus.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Shy Monkeyflower by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,094 | April | Mar–May |
| Arizona | 69 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Washington | 46 | May | Mar–May |
| Oregon | 35 | April | Apr–May |
| Utah | 21 | May | Apr–May |
| Idaho | 9 | May | May–May |
| Nevada | 5 | May | May–Jun |
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
Scarlet Monkeyflower
Lewis' monkeyflower
Sharpwing Monkeyflower
Red Bush Monkeyflower
Southern Bush 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 Shy Monkeyflower?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Shy Monkeyflower most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Washington.