Native Plants
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Mimulus nanus
Mimulus nanus Hook. & Arn.
Dwarf Purple Monkeyflower
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s): Mimulus tolmiei
USDA Symbol: MINA
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A little plant, covered with glandular hairs, bearing stems with 1 or many branches and rich reddish-lavender, bilaterally symmetrical flowers on short stalks in upper leaf axils.
Like other desert annuals, in a year of poor rainfall Dwarf Purple Monkeyflower puts all its efforts into producing a new crop of seeds to ensure future generations. After growing only about 1/4" (6 mm) tall, it flamboyantly produces one comparatively huge flower that seems to sit directly on the ground. In years of ample moisture, plants will be branched and up to 4" (10 cm) tall, bearing dozens of flowers.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 4 inches tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Yellow , PurpleBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: CA , CO , ID , MT , NV , OR , WA , WYNative Distribution: Central Washington south to northern California and east to northeastern Nevada, northwestern Wyoming, and southwestern Montana.
Native Habitat: Dry open areas on sagebrush plains and in open pine forests.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesNational Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU |
Web Reference
Webref 62 - Burke Herbarium Image Collection (2020) University of WashingtonWebref 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 nanus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Mimulus nanus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Mimulus nanus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-18Research By: TWC Staff