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Home  /  Plants  /  Budburst Species  /  Mimulus cardinalis
Phenology Observation Sheet for Wildflowers and Herbs

COMMON NAME

Scarlet monkeyflower

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Mimulus cardinalis

ALSO KNOWN AS

Erythranthe cardinalis

Plant family

(Phrymaceae)

Plant group

Wildflowers and Herbs

Scarlet monkeyflower is an herbaceous evergreen perennial, often growing 1-3' tall and wide. Stems are branched and sticky-hairy.
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Identification hints

The stems often lie down on the ground, however they don't typically root along the the stem, which can distinguish this plant from the crimson monkeyflower (E. eastwoodiae).
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Did you know?

This and several other closely related monkey flowers are a highly researched model organism for studying pollinator-plant interactions.
DISTRIBUTION IN TH U.S.
Arizona , California , New Mexico , Nevada , Oregon , Utah , Washington
HABITAT
This plant prefers partial shade in moist soil along stream banks, pond margins, seepages, and under dripping water.
ATTRIBUTES
Leaves
Leaves of scarlet monkeyflower grow opposite on another on the stem with no leaf stalks. They are egg shaped, broader at the base and narrowing at the tip; growing to 4 1/2" long with soft fine hair and teeth on the leaf margin.
Flowers
Solitary bright red flowers arise from the leaf axils. The flowers have stamens that protrude out from the floral tube and have hairy anthers. petals are often strongly flexed backwards.
Fruits
Fruit is a 3/4" long, oblong capsule that is covered in persistent papery bracts
Bloom Time
Blooming April through October

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