Allegheny monkeyflower

Mimulus ringens

The Allegheny monkeyflower is a cheerful flower that grows near water. It has bright yellow and purple petals that attract butterflies and bees, making it a happy sight in nature.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Allegheny monkeyflower has striking two-lipped, tubular flowers, typically vibrant purple or blue-violet. Its lower lip often features a yellow throat with small reddish-brown spots, creating a unique 'monkey-face' appearance. This contrasts with its square, often reddish-tinged stems and lance-shaped leaves.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPhrymaceaeGenusMimulus

Allegheny monkeyflower

Interesting facts

Its name 'monkeyflower' comes from the bloom's playful face-like shape!

Look closely for tiny red spots inside its throat, guiding bees to sweet nectar!

Some people used to make tea from this plant, but it’s mostly for looking at!

The 'Allegheny' part of its name points to mountains where it's often found!

Special abilities

Allegheny monkeyflower can grow in super wet soil thanks to roots adapted to oxygen-poor environments, helping it thrive where others can't.

The flower's distinct purple petals and spotted yellow throat act like a landing strip, guiding bees right to its nectar for reproduction.

This plant spreads underground using special stems called rhizomes, helping it quickly colonize wet areas and create dense patches for survival.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-100 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Flower Size: 2-3 cm
Bloom Season: Summer to early fall
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Collects nectar and pollen from its blooms.

pollinates

Common eastern bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

Visits flowers, performing buzz pollination.

pollinates

Eastern tiger swallowtail

Papilio glaucus

Feeds on nectar, aiding in pollen transfer.

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Spring Blooming

Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.