Erythranthe hardhamiae
Aliso 30: 64, figs. 23–25. 2012.
Annuals, taprooted. Stems erect, simple or branched from basal nodes, (2–)3–13 cm, glabrous or minutely puberulent. Leaves cauline, basal not persistent; petiole 0 mm; blade palmately 3-veined (in broader ones), linear to oblanceolate, 2–12 × 1–5 mm, base attenuate, margins entire, sometimes toothed, apex acute, surfaces glabrous or minutely puberulent. Flowers herkogamous, 1–12, from distal or medial to distal nodes. Fruiting pedicels ascending to often spreading horizontally, 10–60 mm. Fruiting calyces becoming reddish, sometimes red-spotted, campanulate to cylindric, 4–6 mm, margins distinctly toothed or lobed, glabrous or minutely puberulent, ribs weak, lobes pronounced, erect, margins glabrous. Corollas pink to purple, abaxial limb with 2 yellow palate ridges, bilaterally symmetric, strongly bilabiate; tube-throat funnelform, 5–10 mm, exserted 2–5 mm beyond calyx margin; limb expanded 7–13 mm, lobes notched, abaxial limb sparsely bearded. Styles glabrous. Stigmas equal in length to corolla tube or exserted. Anthers included or slightly exserted, glabrous. Capsules included, 4–5 mm.
Phenology: Flowering Mar–Apr.
Habitat: Sandy soils near sandstone outcrops and chaparral.
Elevation: 300–800 m.
Discussion
Erythranthe hardhamiae is endemic to the central coast region in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties. The species was previously included in E. palmeri but can be distinguished by having a wider limb (16–25 mm) than E. palmeri (8–15 mm) and pale pink flowers with a broad yellow palate and orifice. In contrast, E. palmeri has deep pink flowers with two yellow ridges on the palate.
Selected References
None.