Mimulus ringens (Allegheny Monkey Flower)
| Also known as: | Blue Monkey-flower |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Mimulus |
| Family: | Phrymaceae (Lopseed) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, sun; wet, along shores, swamps |
| Bloom season: | June - September |
| Plant height: | 1 to 3 feet |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: OBL MW: OBL NCNE: OBL |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.
Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/mimulus-ringens-4368-2.jpg)
Irregular blue-violet flower, occasionally pink or white, 1 inch across. The upper lip is divided into 2 erect lobes and the lower lip has 3 rounded lobes. At the base of the middle lobe are 2 pale yellow to white spots. A whorl of sepals about 1 inch long with 5 long teeth form a tube behind the flower. The flowers arise on longish stalks from the leaf axils. One plant may have many flowers.
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/mimulus-ringens-2097.jpg)
Leaves are 2 to 4 inches long, ½ to 1 inch wide, with fine widely spaced teeth, tapering to a point at the tip, the rounded leaf base clasping the stem. Leaves and the square stem are both hairless. Leaf attachment is opposite.
Notes:
This one is easy to ID, as there is nothing else like it in Minnesota, though a similar species with stalked leaves is native a bit farther east. Mimulus is one of the species that was formerly in the Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) family and is now in Phrymaceae (Lopseed). There are 2 varieties of M. ringens in North America; var. ringens found in Minnesota.
Native Plant Nurseries, Restoration and Landscaping Services ↓
Map of native plant resources in the upper midwest
More photos
Allegheny Monkey Flower plants, with Wild Mint and Blue Skullcap
plant coming into bloom
Allegheny Monkey Flower with nearly white flowers
Allegheny Monkey Flower plants, with Wild Mint and Blue Skullcap
plant coming into bloom
Allegheny Monkey Flower with nearly white flowersPhotos by K. Chayka taken at various locations in Ramsey and Anoka counties. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Anoka County.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2008-06-08 17:13:53
Another wild flower I've seen on my walks by the Mississippi River in Stearns County that I did not know the name of. Now I can name the photos I took of it last year.
on: 2008-09-04 16:37:18
Is this plant (monkey flower) only in purple? I have recently seen quite a few that look similar to this only they are yellow. Are they the same plant? I looked at your site under the yello flowers and didn't see anything that was as close as this one is. I found it in Jordan, MN. Believe it or not at the Water Treatment Plant because it is the ideal place to walk my very large, ambitious dog. many beautiful plants growing there though!
on: 2008-09-04 18:05:52
Yes, there is at least 1 species of yellow monkey flower that should be growing in various places around Minnesota, including the Twin Cities area: Mimulus glabratus. I haven't seen it myself, but I know it has to be here somewhere. A water treatment plant sounds like the perfect place for these moisture-loving plants to grow. :)
on: 2009-07-18 17:45:03
I found this on the side of a trail through my woods. I hadn't seen it before and brought it in to identify it from one of my books. I was unable to find it there, and found it here! Thank you for helping me identify another wildflower on my property.
on: 2011-07-14 13:50:22
Found in a wet, fen-like area in a rock out-crop. Large group, blooming today, 14 July 2011.
on: 2011-08-09 21:27:54
I found this plant blooming today in a drainage ditch in my back yard that is always wet. I have been working this area into a wetland garden and I am always on the look out for natives that just show up like this one.
on: 2014-07-13 12:59:29
I found this today on our lake shore. We are finding a number of species we have never seen here before after flooding 2 years ago. July 2014
on: 2014-07-23 08:18:02
We saw it growing in a woods road near Lower Red Lake.
on: 2014-07-30 21:22:50
I brought one small plant that looks like this back from western Wisc. The flower looks like a pink and white orchid, no larger than an inch. Invasive: do not need much water, grow to four or so feet. Same plant?????
on: 2014-07-31 13:56:18
Karen, it's not likely an orchid (which come in a vast array of sizes, shapes and colors) but other than that your description matches many different plants. Did you try the advanced search and see if you spot it there? If not and you want more help post an image on our Facebook page and we'll take a look.
on: 2014-08-06 09:45:53
one of three "strangers" I recently found near a slough at the edge of woods on our property. Also found--woundwort, wild mint and blue vervain. Had never seen the first three before.
on: 2014-08-28 14:26:56
Where can i buy monkey flower plants or seed?thx
on: 2014-08-28 18:50:21
See "where to buy native seeds and plants" that is on almost every page at this site. If those vendors don't carry it, ask if they know one that does.
on: 2017-07-20 16:11:29
Another surprise plant in my garden! First appeared last summer ani it has forms new spots to for through out the garden. Question, can it be transplanted?
on: 2019-07-26 18:44:23
Prairie River bed floods in spring and during heavy rains. But today the big flat rocks are dry with these little purple flower stocks growing out of the cracks where there is trapped debris, earthen matter and moisture.
on: 2019-08-12 19:00:48
I found these today on the east side of the Minnesota river across from Henderson, MN.
on: 2020-06-22 13:33:08
Beautiful wooded path part of the Loose Line has a wonderful variety of wildflowers❤️
on: 2020-07-14 22:53:21
These flowers are in our pasture. I've never seen them before and we've lived on our farm for about 25 years. I'm curious as to how they just started growing here.
on: 2020-07-16 08:58:32
Seen walking along the path by the Vermillion River, behind the hockey rink. I'd never seen this flower before.
on: 2020-07-31 11:43:06
Found blooming in Stanford Township Marsh off County Road 71 Near Anoka County Line.
on: 2020-08-26 19:46:42
Found a handful of these blooming along the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River in Oronoco Township, Olmsted County.
on: 2021-06-30 13:30:29
Popped up in a bin that has gravel n water. In full sun
on: 2021-07-05 11:40:18
Grows sporadically along the St. Louis River in Jay Cooke State Park
on: 2021-07-06 21:34:54
On the Missisippi River, between 38th and 42nd, south of Longfellow Beach, this was a narrow small beach, thickly edged with monkeyflowers, bright sun, very wet, of course.
on: 2021-07-18 21:05:59
Came up next to my cone flowers on north side of my house. I cut it down last year because I thought it was a weed bush and when it came up again this year I was going to cut it down again but then saw the flowers on it. Not sure how it got there.
on: 2021-08-15 17:20:55
Found this today growing in a sandbar along the Saint Croix River, north of William O'Brien State Park, along with Cottonwood tree seedlings. Really stood out.