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Mimulus ringens (Allegheny monkeyflower)
Smith, R.W.

Mimulus ringens L.

Allegheny monkeyflower, Square-stemmed Monkeyflower

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

USDA Symbol: MIRI

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Asymmetrical, 2-lipped, blue-purple flowers rise from the axils of opposite leaves that clasp the square stem.

The flower looks something like a monkeys face, hence the common and genus names, the latter from the Latin mimus (a buffoon). A variety of this plant, M. ringens var. colpophilus, found from Quebec to Maine on tidal muds, is classified as an endangered species in Maine. The lavender-flowering Sharp-winged Monkeyflower (M. alatus) has stalked leaves and a winged stem. It is more common southward and westward in wet sites.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Pink , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia; south to Georgia; west to Alabama; Louisiana, and northeastern Texas.
Native Habitat: Wet meadows and streambanks.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil Description: Loam

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Common Buckeye, Baltimore checkerspots

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Mimulus ringens is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Baltimore
(Euphydryas phaeton)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Common Buckeye
(Junonia coenia)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
Ohio Prairie Nursery - Hiram, OH
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA
Toadshade Wildflower Farm - Frenchtown, NJ
Prairie Nursery - Westfield, WI

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Mimulus ringens in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Mimulus ringens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Mimulus ringens

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-09
Research By: TWC Staff

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