Square-stemmed Monkey Flower. Mimulus ringens
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- MIM-yoo-luss RIN-jens
- Description
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Mimulus ringens is a rhizomatous, upright perennial which typically occurs in swampy areas, wet meadows, pond/streambanks, and low woods. It is best grown in part shade. The flowers look something like a monkey's face, giving it the common name.
The blooms appear as solitary long-stalked flowers. They will grow as a pair, opposite each other on the leaf axils at the upper portion of the plant. Typically, they will bloom on different days.
Plant in 1-2 gallon containers using rich soil. Cover with 0.5-2 in. of water.
Host plant for the Common buckeye (Junonia coenia) and Baltimore checkerspot (euphydryas phaeton) butterflies.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No issues noted.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Mimulus
- Species:
- ringens
- Family:
- Phrymaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IL, 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, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies. Pollinated by bumblebees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Water Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit grows as an oblong capsule, each containing from 500 to 1000 seeds. They are spread by the wind and spread on the surface of the surrounding areas.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- A solitary, blue, violet, red or pink snapdragon-like flowers (to 1" long) with two-lipped, open-mouthed corollas. Flowers appear in pairs in the leaf axils on slender 1-2" long pedicels.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Up to 4" long, the dark green, oblong leaves taper at both ends.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Square stems with a groove on the sides. Many branches on the lower part of the plant.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Wet Soil
