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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Diplacus puniceus (Red bush monkeyflower)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Diplacus puniceus Nutt.

Red bush monkeyflower, Mission diplacus

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonyms: Mimulus puniceus

USDA Symbol: dipu4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A freely branched subshrub, 2-3 ft. tall and wide, with narrow, shiny, dark-green leaves that curl and become sticky on hot days. Small, tubular flowers are borne in profusion with the usual monkey face appearance. Flower color range is brick-red or crimson.

Near the coast, flowers will occur almost anytime, but peak flowering is the summer months. The blooms attract hummingbirds.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: Laguna Beach, Santa Ana Mts. & Santa Catalina Id.; adj. Mex.
Native Habitat: Dry slopes & mesas below 2500 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Near the coast, flowers will occur almost anytime, but peak flowering is the summer months. Plants will need reshaping as old growth becomes leggy and brittle.

Propagation

Description: Easily started by tip cuttings.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

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

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:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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