seep monkeyflower

Erythranthe guttata

The seep monkeyflower is a pretty flower that loves to grow near water. Its bright yellow and orange blooms attract butterflies and bees, making it a happy spot for nature lovers!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The seep monkeyflower has bright yellow, tubular flowers with prominent red or maroon spots, resembling a grinning face. Its smooth stems grow upright, often in clusters, from green, oval leaves, creating a vibrant display.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPhrymaceaeGenusErythranthe

seep monkeyflower

Interesting facts

If you touch its stigma, it can snap shut in seconds to catch pollen from visiting insects!

Its scientific name, 'guttata,' means 'spotted,' just like its flowers!

Some people use its peppery-tasting leaves to add a unique kick to salads!

The flower's shape looks a bit like a monkey's face, giving it its fun common name!

Special abilities

Seep monkeyflower can grow even when its roots are underwater, thanks to special adaptations helping it breathe in soggy soil.

Seep monkeyflower has vibrant red spots inside its petals that act like a runway, guiding bees straight to its nectar.

Seep monkeyflower produces tiny seeds that can float on water, allowing new plants to sprout far downstream from the parent.

Measurements & details

Height: 10-80 cm
Spread: 20-40 cm
Flower Size: 2-4 cm
Bloom Season: Late Spring to Fall
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honeybee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar and pollen, aiding reproduction

pollinates

Black-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus melanopygus

efficiently transfers pollen between flowers

eaten by

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

leaves and stems may be browsed by hungry deer

Traits

Aromatic

Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.

Flowering

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

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.