Great purple monkey flower
Mimulus lewisii

Family: Phrymaceae

What it is like

A perennial herb. It grows 30-60 cm high and 30-45 cm wide. It is a lax plant. The leaves are sticky. They are opposite and simple. The leaves are oblong and 4-8 cm long. They are thin and have irregular teeth. The flowers are pink or white. They are 25-50 mm long. They have wispy hairs on the lip. Several flowers occur in leafy clusters. The fruit is a capsule that has 2 valves. It contains many seeds.

There are 150 Mimulus species. It has also been put in the family Scrophulariaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It can withstand light frosts. It grows in moist conditions near pools. It can grow in shade. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Australia, Canada, Central America, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Red monkey flower

Synonyms

Mimulus bartoniensis;