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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Mimulus lewisii is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August. The flowers are pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves and stems - raw or cooked[172].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Poultice

Poultice[172].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers rather moist places such as damp borders, margins of streams and boggy spots[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Thrives in full sun so long as the soil does not dry out[200], otherwise it is best grown in partial shade[187]. This species tolerates slightly drier conditions than M. guttatus, it prefers a rich soil in light woodland[200]. Hardy to at least -20°c[187]. Another report says that plants are only hardy in the milder parts of Britain[233]. There is some confusion over the naming of this plant, the entry on edibility may refer to M. luteus, which is closely related to this species.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only lightly cover the seed[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed it can also be sown in situ in late spring after the last expected frosts[200]. Division in spring[200]. Very easy, large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of softwood, 5cm long in spring or summer[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Alaska (southeast), Colorado (north), Idaho, Montana (west), Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, California (north), Nevada (w. & n.), Utah (north)), Canada (Alberta, British Columbia)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Mimulus geyeri	Monkey Flower	Perennial	0.6	-	LMH	SN	WeWa	2	0	1
Mimulus guttatus	Yellow Monkey Flower, Seep monkeyflower	Perennial	0.6	5-9	LMH	SN	MWeWa	2	2
Mimulus luteus	Monkey Musk, Yellow monkey-flower	Perennial	0.3	6-9	LMH	SN	MWe	2	0
Mimulus moschatus	Musk Monkey Flower, Muskflower	Perennial	0.3	6-9	LMH	SN	MWe	1	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Expert comment

Author

Pursh.

Botanical References

60200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


Brad Kerr	Thu Mar 30 2006

Perhaps your database is new, but the information presented here is wholey innaccurate. M. lewisii requires well drained, sandy soils. In it's native habitat, silts and clays of heavy soils are extremely rare. We have never been able to propagate the species in any heavy soils. Further, cold stratification appears to be required for the species. Several of the ecological descriptions presented on this site share similar inaccurate information. The credibility of this entire website comes under question in light of these inaccuracies.


Walter Wilson	Sat Feb 28 2009

This entry is inaccurate. Mimulus lewisii is an alpine to subalpine species that needs well-drained soil (both in cultivation and propagation). It is not found in clay (there is no clay in its native habitat) soil in its native habitat. Additionally, seeds from this plant are naturally cold-stratified, and do require cold stratification in manual propagation. The propagation material MUST be well-drained. Mimulus lewisii does not grow in boggy areas, and is not found near boggy areas that I have ever seen. It does grow in alpine and subalpine meadows with vernal run-off. It grows along small streams, as well, but the water must be cold and clear (well-oxygenated). Please make changes to this entry to reflect these realities. Walter Wilson Environmental horticulturist

Mimulus lewisii - Pursh.