Rare Wildflower Survives California's Extreme Drought

Researchers document how the scarlet monkeyflower rapidly evolved to withstand lack of rainfall.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:52pm

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In a new study published in the journal Science, researchers documented how the scarlet monkeyflower, a rare wildflower found in California, was able to survive the extreme drought that ravaged the state from 2012 to 2015. The researchers found that the flower populations that rebounded the best had common mutations linked to drought tolerance, providing rare evidence of 'evolutionary rescue' in the face of climate change.

Why it matters

This study offers hope that some species can rapidly adapt to the impacts of climate change, but it also highlights the challenges facing conservation efforts as the environment continues to change. Understanding how certain species are able to survive extreme conditions can help inform strategies to protect vulnerable plants and animals.

The details

The researchers studied scarlet monkeyflowers along the West Coast for over eight years, tracking which flower populations thrived, declined or disappeared during the drought. They found that the flowers within the three populations that rebounded best commonly had mutations linked to drought tolerance. This provides rare evidence of 'evolutionary rescue' - a phenomenon where a species rapidly evolves to survive - outside of a lab setting and in the face of climate change.

  • The extreme drought in California lasted from 2012 to 2015.
  • The new study was published in the journal Science on March 13, 2026.

The players

Daniel Anstett

The first author of the study and a biology professor at Cornell University.

Mark Urban

A researcher at the University of Connecticut who penned an analysis about the study's findings.

Laurinne Balstad

A researcher at the University of British Columbia who penned an analysis about the study's findings.

Scarlet Monkeyflower

A rare wildflower found in California that has tubular, red-orange flowers and grows up to 3 feet tall. Biologists often find them near water sources.

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What they’re saying

“Essentially what we found is that the populations that recovered are also the populations that evolved the fastest.”

— Daniel Anstett, Biology professor at Cornell University

“More studies are needed to understand why some populations persist in a rapidly changing planet whereas others disappear. Still, solace can be found in the observation that evolution can sometimes rescue nature.”

— Mark Urban, Researcher at the University of Connecticut

What’s next

Researchers plan to continue studying the scarlet monkeyflower and other species to better understand how they are adapting to climate change, which could inform conservation efforts.

The takeaway

This study offers rare evidence that some species can rapidly evolve to survive extreme environmental conditions, providing hope that certain plants and animals may be able to adapt to the impacts of climate change. However, it also highlights the ongoing challenges facing conservation as the planet continues to warm.