Allegheny monkey-flower (Mimulus ringens, Sp. Pl.: 634 (1753))

Family: Phrymaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 634 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Mimulus

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. Canada to C. & E. U.S.A.

Description

The Allegheny monkey-flower, scientifically known as Mimulus ringens, is a captivating and distinctive plant species belonging to the family Phrymaceae. This perennial herb is celebrated for its delicate beauty and adaptability to a variety of moist and wetland environments. Described by the famed botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, the Allegheny monkey-flower has firmly established itself as an integral component of the North American flora.

Native to the central and eastern regions of Canada and the United States, Mimulus ringens thrives in a range of habitats, including marshes, stream banks, and wet meadows. Its geographical distribution underscores its resilience and versatility in adapting to diverse ecological settings. The plant’s preference for moist environments is a characteristic feature that guides its natural proliferation across these areas.

The Allegheny monkey-flower is easily identifiable by its distinctive blossoms, which typically appear from midsummer to early fall. The flowers, known for their vibrant hues of blue and violet, exhibit a tubular shape with a two-lipped corolla that mimics the face of a monkey, hence the common name. This unique floral structure not only adds to the plant’s aesthetic appeal but also plays a vital role in attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which are crucial for its reproduction.

In addition to its ecological significance, Mimulus ringens holds value in horticultural practices due to its ornamental properties. Its striking flowers and ability to thrive in wetland gardens make it a favored choice for gardeners seeking to enhance the visual appeal of water features and create habitats that support local wildlife.

Overall, the Allegheny monkey-flower stands as a remarkable example of botanical beauty and environmental adaptability, continuing to intrigue botanists and plant enthusiasts alike with its enduring charm and ecological import.

Common Names

Eng: allegheny monkey-flower, allegheny monkeyflower, square-stemmed monkeyflower, blue monkeyflower
Deu: blaue gauklerblume
Swe: blå gyckelblomma
Fra: mimule à fleurs entrouvertes, mimule ringent
En: Allegheny monkey-flower, Allegheny monkeyflower, Square-stemmed monkeyflower, Blue monkeyflower
Fr: Mimule à fleurs entrouvertes, Mimule ringent
De: Blaue Gauklerblume
Sv: Blå gyckelblomma

Synonyms

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Mar 17, 2022 by Nora Aranaga (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2022 by Jess Epps (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2020 by Judith Hammerschmidt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2021 by Sinéad Giblin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2021 by Sarah Hampe (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 30, 2020 by Amanda O’Mara (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2020 by bertus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2020 by BlandineMouss (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2021 by pierre vernet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 14, 2015 by EOL − anewman (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 13, 2015 by EOL − Tim Guida (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 29, 2015 by EOL − Karolina Fucikova (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 30, 2015 by EOL − Erin (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 26, 2021 by Shuji Usui (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 19, 2022 by Frederick Henderson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2022 by Frederick Henderson (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 23, 2015 by EOL − Katherine Thorington (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 29, 2015 by EOL − Noel Dodge (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 3, 2015 by EOL − Evan Raskin (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/6070732)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:806091-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Mimulus ringens L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth