Native Plants
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Mimulus ringens
Mimulus ringens L.
Allegheny Monkeyflower, Square-stemmed Monkeyflower, Square-stem Monkeyflower
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: MIRI
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Asymmetrical, 2-lipped, blue-purple flowers rise from the axils of opposite leaves that clasp the square stem.
The flower looks something like a monkey's 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.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Pink , Blue , PurpleBloom 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 , WVCanada: 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.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil Description: Loam
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesAttracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Common Buckeye, Baltimore checkerspots
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton) Larval Host |
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Larval Host |
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
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
Bibref 1294 - 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
Additional resources
USDA: Find Mimulus ringens in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Mimulus ringens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Mimulus ringens
Metadata
Record Modified: 2021-01-28Research By: TWC Staff