Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Phrymaceae

Genus:

Erythranthe

Species:

Erythranthe cardinalis

USDA Symbol:

MICA3

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

90 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct

Bloom Colors:

red, scarlet

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Reported Fauna Sightings

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

hummingbirds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

Thrives in riparian zones and wet areas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–28 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover. Cool temperatures (55-65°F) improve germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI