Fauna
Plant

Lewis' Monkeyflower

Erythranthe lewisii

Also known as Purple Monkeyflower, Lewis's Monkeyflower, Great Purple Monkeyflower

Lewis' monkeyflower carpets wet mountain stream banks and subalpine meadows across western North America with rich magenta blooms. Co-evolved with bumblebees, its flowers feature broad lower petals marked with yellow, hairy nectar guides that lead pollinators straight into the throat. Evolutionary biologists study this perennial as a landmark model organism for understanding pollinator-driven speciation.

AlpineWildflowerPerennial
Lewis' Monkeyflower reference1 / 7
(c) Bob Walker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bob Walker · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Subalpine caterpillars
  • Deer
  • Elk
ThreatsClimate change, trampling, loss of alpine wetland habitats
HabitatsSubalpine wet meadows, stream banks, seepages, montane springs
Life span5–10 years
Classification
  1. FamilyPhrymaceae
  2. SpeciesErythranthe lewisii
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Habitat Spotting: Look along cold mountain streams and wet subalpine meadows from mid to late summer.
  • Ethical Viewing: Stay on established alpine trails to avoid damaging delicate wetland soils.
  • Pollinator Observing: Watch quiet blossoms on sunny days to see bumblebees landing on the lower petals.
Related species
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