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Cressler, Alan

Mimulus cardinalis

Mimulus cardinalis Douglas ex Benth.

Scarlet Monkeyflower, Crimson Monkeyflower, Scarlet Monkey-flower

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s): Diplacus cardinalis, Erythranthe cardinalis, Mimulus cardinalis var. exsul, Mimulus cardinalis var. griseus, Mimulus cardinalis var. rigens, Mimulus cardinalis var. verbenaceus, Mimulus verbenaceus

USDA Symbol: MICA3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Scarlet Monkey-flower is a large-flowered, robust perennial with 10-30 in. stems. The flowers are carried high above the leaves and are of a peculiar shape. The lower lip is swept backward and the stamens extend beyond the upper lip. All parts of the flower are a brilliant, red-orange hue.

The handsome red flowers of this plant attract hummingbirds.

From the Image Gallery

10 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 30 inches tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Orange , Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Throat usually yellowish. Corollas rarely yellow.

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NM , NV , OR , UT
Native Distribution: S.w. OR & CA, e. to NV, extreme s.w. UT & AZ
Native Habitat: Stream banks & seeps below 8000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Older stems need to be trimmed back periodically or the growth becomes floppy and unsightly. This plant reseeds freely.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Crimson monkey flower attracts hummingbirds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Easily increased through root divisions of the ever-enlarging clumps. Seeds may also be used.
Seed Treatment: Seeds germinate without pretreatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

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

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			FACW							FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

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

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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