Mimulus Plant Species

Mimulus Description

• There are approximately 150 species of monkey flower worldwide, 70 percent native to California. The plants have characteristic flowers that open into "mouths." There are two upper petals and two lower petals. Mimulus grow in a variety of colors and sizes from 4 inches to 6 feet tall. The plant is named Monkey flower because of the markings on the seed which resemble an ape's face.

Perennials

• Mimulus perennial plants are short lived and may only bloom for a few years in the wild. This can be extended by the home gardener by division in spring. Mimulus lewisii is a native to the West Coast of the United States. It was discovered and named by Meriwether Lewis and is a bright pink perennial. Other species that are perennials are sticky monkey flower (Aurantiacus), creek monkey flower (Guttatus) and scarlet monkey flower. These plants bloom in spring until fall with the exception of the sticky monkey flower, which blooms from January until May. Allegheny monkey flower is a very common blue form of the plant that thrives in moist places.

Annuals

• Yellow monkey flower is an annual Mimulus that was once common but is becoming scarce due to overdevelopment and destruction of its habitat. Mimulus glabratus is found from southern Canada down to Mexico. It is an aquatic to semiaquatic species with seven separate taxonomies. Mimulus floribundus is aptly named with many flowering stems that are colored a deep purple. Mimulus guttatus, luteus and nasutus are all shrubs with flowers that bear speckling or spots. Some species like Mimulus cupriphilus are only found near two copper mines in Calaveras county. The species is very specialized and adaptable.

Mimulus Hybridus

• For the home gardener that wishes to grow flowers in the Mimulus genus a hybrid variety exists. Mimulus hybridus is a developed seed strain that produces a wide range of colors and textures of monkey flowers. Seeds can be started outdoors in fall in warm season climates and sown in spring in temperate zones. Monkey flowers produce best in full sun and well-drained soils. Collecting native plants is frowned upon and even illegal in many areas where the monkey flower is considered a threatened species. Consult your county extension office to determine where you can get these marvelous flowers.