Monkeyflowers - Notes

1/6/2013

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
More (Magnificent)
Monkeyflowers

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve
Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants March 5 & 8, 2011
Project SOUND – 2011 (our 7th year)
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND

Monkeyflowers have always enchanted Monkeyflowers have always enchanted
gardeners  Introduced to British Isles over 200
the gardener
years ago – seed brought back from N.  Mimulus
America  May come either from the Greek
mimo, "an ape," because of a
 As with many other California native resemblance on the markings of the
plants, bush monkeyflowers were first seeds to the face of a monkey, or
cultivated in British gardens.  From the Latin mimus, "an actor or
mimic," because the flower is like
 Plants of Mimulus aurantiacus were the mouthpiece of one of the
grown as far back as 1796 from seed grinning masks worn by classical
collected in Monterey or San Francisco actors
by botanist Archibald Menzies.
 The Monkeyflowers are at the
 The May 1838 issue of Curtis Botanical
center of scientific activity right
Magazine includes a glowing description
of Mimulus puniceus, "A very elegant now – for several reasons
shrub, flourishing in its native soil
nearly the whole year ... it cannot fail to
http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=25906 prove a great ornament to our gardens.“ http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=25906


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1/6/2013

Where do the CA Monkeyflowers fit?

Kingdom Plantae – Plants Chinese Houses - Collinsia
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass Asteridae
Order Scrophulariales
Linnaeus first classified
Family Scrophulariaceae – Figwort family the Monkeyflowers
Genus Gambelia Nutt. – greenbright
Species Gambelia speciosa Nutt. – showy greenbright
© Project SOUND Showy Penstemon © Project SOUND

What family do the Monkeyflowers Modern taxonomists base their grouping
belong to? on similarities at the DNA level
 Linnaeus placed the genus
Mimulus in Scrophulariaceae, the
Figwort Family, and there it
remained in botanical literature
until the mid 1990s, when, due to
the findings of genetic research,
the Figwort Family was greatly
dismembered.
http://geneticssuite.net/node/11

 DNA – the ‘code of life’
 Plants have DNA from 3 sources:
 Disintegration of the Scrophulariaceae - Richard G.
Olmstead, Claude W. dePamphilis, Andrea D. Wolfe, Nelson D.  Nucleus
Young, Wayne J. Elisons and Patrick A. Reeves, American Journal  Mitochonria Passed down from mother
of Botany. 2001;88:348-361  Chloroplast only (maternal DNA)

© Project SOUND http://www.plantbio.uga.edu/~chris/atlanta.html © Project SOUND

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1/6/2013

Molecular taxonomy groups plants The Scropulariacea was a
based on similar DNA sequences very un-natural ‘family’
 DNA is extracted  ‘…an unnatural assemblage of plants
distributed throughout the
 Then the code is compared phylogenetic tree of Lamiales (Mint-
for different taxa [for like plants).’
example different ‘species’]  Characterized by a suite of
generalized traits, which may be
 Direct sequencing plesiomorphic or commonly recurring
 Other techniques that look in the Lamiales.
for similarities in key regions  The lack of distinguishing
of the DNA characters have precluded division
into well-defined clades that are
 Finally, a taxonomic tree is traditionally recognized as families.
developed based on
 Additional segregate genera,
similarities/ differences including Mimulus, await further
between taxa work to assess their taxonomic
status.
http://www.nature.com/nrg/journal/v9/n8/box/nrg2386_BX3.html http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/88/2/348

Phrymaceae (Lopseed family)
What family do the Monkeyflowers
belong to?  Mainly defined by the following
three characteristics:
 Mimulus was placed in Phrymaceae, the Lopseed Family  Tubular, toothed calyces (5 lobes).
 Now consists of eleven genera and about 190 species.  Stigmas with two lamellas with
sensitive inner surfaces, that close
 ‘Mimulus’ is comprised of about 120 species, and about 99 are together on contact with a pollinator.
endemic to western North America and Mexico. About 10
 Capsules that are readily dehiscent in
species occur in temperate South America, and the remainder
the length between the partitions of
occur in eastern North America (2 species), Australia (4
the locule.
species), the Himalayan region (4 species), Madagascar (2
species) and South Africa (1 species).14 http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaweedlady/2702128598/

 The floral structures can be rather
different. Their corollas can be
bilaterally or radially symmetrical,
Whatever Happened to the Scrophulariaceae? by Richard G. Olmstead in the journal
making description difficult.
Fremontia, vol 30 #2, April 2002 published by the California Native Plant Society

http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/nspages/gilaflora/mimulus_guttatus.html

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1/6/2013

Phrymaceae - much variability among/between Redefining Phrymaceae: the placement of Mimulus,
‘species’ tribe Mimuleae, and Phryma
Paul M. Beardsley and Richard G. Olmstead - 2002
 Members occur in diverse habitats,
ranging from deserts, river banks  Chloroplast trnL/F and nuclear ribosomal ITS and ETS
or mountains. sequence data were used to analyze phylogenetic
 They can be annuals or perennials, relationships among members of tribe Mimuleae
from < 1 to 15 ft tall. (Scrophulariaceae) and other closely related families
in Lamiales. The results of these analyses led to the
 Even reproduction is brought about following conclusions.
by different breeding systems:
 Mimulus is not monophyletic
asexual, self-fertilizing,
outcrossing or mixed mating. Some  In light of the molecular evidence, it is clear that species of
are pollinated by insects, others by Phrymaceae (~190 species) have undergone two geographically
distinct radiations; one in western North America (~ 130
hummingbirds. species) and another in Australia (about 30 species).
http://chestofbooks.com/flora-plants/flowers/Western-Wild-
Flowers/Monkey-Flower-Mimulus-Brevipes-Yellow-Spring-
California.html © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

Patterns of evolution in
western North American A parsimonious
Mimulus (Phrymaceae) tree
P M. Beardsley, Steve E. Schoenig, Justen B.
Whittall and Richard G. Olmstead (2004)  Note: the
shrubby
 Looked at many
common & rare
Monkeyflower
species from types cluster
Western N. America together
 Findings suggest
that the
classification (and
nomenclature) may
be complex


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1/6/2013

What does that mean for us as
continued gardeners? Tons of troubles

 The herbaceous  Even the experts can’t agree right now
types are complex
 Jepson’s manual now lumps many shrubby Monkeyflowers
– and previous under Diplacus aurantiacus
classifications are  This extreme lumping probably obscures some evolutional
not entire differences – and ones of importance to the gardiner (flower
consistent with size; color)

the DNA-based  Other manuals (and ITIS/Plants) have kept many of the
old names/classes
evidence
 The horticultural trade – in despair – has sometimes
used the old names & sometimes made up their own
 And then there are those pesky hybrids!
http://www.chemistryland.com/CHM130W/01-Intro/00-Obstacles/PitfallsOfLearning.htm

Most CA taxonomists agree to the
Sticky (Bush) Monkey Flower - Diplacus aurantiacus
following division (at least for now)
 Genus Diplacus
 Shrubby/bush Monkeyflowers
 Really are sub-shrubs – 2-4 ft tall
 Flowers usually in reds & oranges
 Common in drier areas at mid-
elevations (foothills)

 Genus Mimulus
 Herbaceous Monkeyflowers
 Perennials or annuals - < 2 ft tall
 Flowers often yellow – but not
always
 From wet places: low to very high
elevations (riparian; seeps; etc.)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36386822@N07/3458022529


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1/6/2013

You may have seen Sticky Sticky Monkeyflower is typical of the shrubby Diplacus
Monkeyflower in Santa Monica Mtns
 rocky hillsides
 cliffs
 canyon slopes
 disturbed
areas
 borders of
coastal sage
scrub,
chaparral,
open forest

Dry, open areas with
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/monkeyb2.htm

poor soils
http://members.aol.com/skkato1/StickyM.html
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/113496/

 Shape: typical of Phrymaceae
Growth habit and other characteristics Flowers are also  Tubular, toothed calyces (five lobes).
representative….  Stigmas with two lamellas. The stigma
lips will close if you poke them with a
twig, but will open again later. If
 Size: 2-4 ft tall and wide pollen was deposited however, they
will remain closed.
 Narrow glossy sticky dark
green leaves  Capsules that are readily dehiscent in
the length between the partitions
 Summer-deciduous in hot
climates/gardens  Blooms: Mar.-Aug; long-blooming,
which can be extended by pruning
 Attractive mounding to after first bloom
sprawling shape
 Flower color: usually buff-orange
 Lives to 10 years – slightly
less in gardens, particularly if or light orange; tube usually white
given summer water with 2 yellow-orange bands
 Young leaves can be eaten (a  Hummingbird pollinated; but also
bit bitter, tho’) and were attracts bees, butterflies (esp.
used as an antiseptic for Checkerspots & Buckeyes)
cuts, rope burns, etc.


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1/6/2013

Consequences of light regimens
Light & shrubby
Monkeyflowers  Full sun
 Difficult to maintain in our area
 What is the ‘right’ amount  Plants will be summer dormant
of light?  Plants shorter

 Dappled shade is probably  Light/part shade
optimal  Long bloom season
 High bright shade (under tall http://www.phoenixinfinite.com/index.php?p=
1_13_Spring-Garden-Show-Plant-List  May be evergreen depending on
trees w/ high canopy Water Zone
 Morning sun (east side of  Good foliage & flower color
structures; shrubs)
 Even northern exposures, as  Even shadier
long as they aren’t in dense  Decreased flowering
shade  Almost vine-like habit; like a
true groundcover

* Large-flowered Monkeyflower – Diplacus grandiflora * Large-flowered Monkeyflower – Diplacus grandiflora
 W. base of Sierras from Plumas &
Butte to Placer Co

 Rocky places below 5000 ft.
 Rocky cliffs, hillsides, canyon
slopes, disturbed areas
 Borders of chaparral, oak
woodland & even conifer forest

 Normally grows on granitic soils

 AKA: Azalea-flower Monkeyflower

 In the trade:
 Mimulus bifidus
 Diplacus aurantiacus grandiflora
http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=5491

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


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1/6/2013

Large-flowered Monkeyflower: smaller shrub Showiest of the Bush
 Size: Monkeyflowers
 1-3 ft tall
 Blooms:
 3-4 ft wide
 In spring – usually Apr-Jul
 Growth form: in western L.A. county
 Semi-deciduous sub-shrub
 Flowers:
 Upright (sunnier) to more
 Large size – up to 2” across
sprawling habit; more refined
looking than others  Color: varies, but often mid-
to light orange with darker
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DIGR5  Lives 10-20+ years
throat markings
 Foliage:  Look very azalea-like
 Leaves linear to lance-shaped  Numerous blooms – probably
 Medium to dark green; sticky on the most showy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33818785@N00/2393843850/
hot days
 Seeds: numerous tiny seeds
 Reminiscent of azaleas (look like fine grind pepper) in
 Larval food – Buckeye butterflies dry papery capsule

J. E.(Jed) and Bonnie McClellan © California Academy of Sciences
 Roots: fibrous – good soil-binding
© Project SOUND
© 2000 Joseph Dougherty/ecology.org
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2332819910044943617iHxqyG
© Project SOUND

 Soils:
One tough customer..  Texture: well-drained (sandy
or rocky)
 pH: any local (to pH of 5)

 Light:
 Part-shade is best; dappled
shade or high shade from
trees is ideal
Needs afternoon shade
J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


Brother Alfred Brousseau @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database  Water:
 Winter: adequate
 Summer: best with occasional
water – Zone 2 or even 2-3 in
sandy soils
 Will lose leaves – but survive –
Zone 1-2

 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Brother Alfred Brousseau @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DIGR5
http://www.windmillnurseryinc.com/m12/116--mimulus-bifidus-apricot-monkeyflower.html

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1/6/2013

Large-flowered Monkeyflower: Watering the shrubby Monkeyflowers
a show-stopper
 Many do best with very good drainage –
 In shady areas under trees – sandy or rocky soils are optimal
even near lawns with excellent
drainage  Most actually have a wide summer water
tolerance in well-drained soils
 Fine under oaks and other
Jo-Ann Ordano © California Academy of Sciences summer-dry trees  More water (Zone 2 to 2-3)
 Evergreen & lush
 Good choice for slopes – nice  Possibly longer bloom season & more
groundcover blooms
 Likely shortens life
 Adds beauty and habitat value
to the butterfly & hummingbird  Less water (Zone 1-2 to 2)
garden  Less prone to deer damage
 As an attractive pot plant
© 2000 Joseph Dougherty/ecology.org
 Better for plant health – longer life (15-
20 years possible)
 Will lose it’s leaves and look like dead
sticks (or very sickly)
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Mimulus-bifidus/


Several natural cultivars are available * Southern Bush Monkeyflower – Diplacus longiflorus

http://www.laspili
tas.com/nature-
of-
california/plants/
‘Esselen’ diplacus-
longiflorus

‘White’
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

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1/6/2013

* Southern Bush Monkeyflower – Diplacus longiflorus Flowers: light orange
or yellow (usually)
 Southern CA: southwestern
(ocean-influenced) & interior
 Blooms: in spring, usually Mar-
 San Gabriels; Verdugo Mtns, Chino July in our area
Hills, foothills of OR Co.
 Flowers:
 Dry, coast and intermountain  Typical Monkeyflower shape,
slopes to 5000 ft. – often on but large size
outcroppings, in intermittant  Corollas are noticeably
streams or under oaks longer than other species
http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-
(hence its name)
 In trade:
calrecnum=5530

 Flower color ranges from
 Diplacus auranticaus longiflorus light toffee-orange, yellow
 Mimulus longiflorus to almost white; variable
even within a single garden

 Seeds: many tiny seeds in
papery capsule typical of genus

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's
© Project SOUND College © Project SOUND
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

Managing bush Monkeyflowers: follow Forcing flowering with native
Mother Nature’s cues Monkeyflowers – the choice is yours
 To keep your plant dense, pinch
back new growth in spring/early  If you treat them like a
summer regular garden plant
(deadhead, water &
 Cut back watering after flowering fertilizer) they'll flower
for months and months
 Plants will need yearly reshaping -
 But they'll live for only a
old growth becomes leggy, brittle. few years if you continually
push the flowers.
 Once the wood has hardened, http://www.calown.com/nativegarden_plants.html

prune off at least one-third to  They basically flower
one-half of each stem, leaving a themselves to death.
few inches of the current year's
wood.

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1/6/2013

Diplacus linearis : similar to Sticky Monkeyflower Diplacus puniceus – one choice for reds
but with narrower leaves

‘Pumpkin’ form
J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database http://www.laspilitas.com/groups/Monkey_flower/Cali
Brother Alfred Brousseau @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database fornia_monkey_flower.html

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=dilo6

Grows in Orange &
San Diego counties,
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/diplacus-
aurantiacus-australis-ramona
Catalina


http://www.westernhort.org/plant_notes200904.html

Island Bush Monkeyflower – Diplacus parviflorus Island Bush Monkeyflower – Diplacus parviflorus

 An ‘Island endemic’ - N. Channel
Islands & San Clemente Island

 Canyons & bluffs; often in part-
shade

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Californian_Channel_Islands_map_en.png

Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

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1/6/2013

Island Bush Monkeyflower: typical Diplacus Flowers contrast
beautifully with the foliage
 Size:  Blooms:
 2-3 ft tall  In spring – usually Mar-June
 2-3 ft wide or July
 Fairly long bloom season
 Growth form:
 Semi-deciduous sub-shrub  Flowers:
 Perhaps a bit more woody  Medium size for Bush
than other species Monkeyflowers (~ 1 inch
across)
 Foliage:
 Medium to dark green  Usually bright crimson red –
but may be slightly orange;
 Leave lance-shaped; glossy &
remind one of Catalina
sticky
Snapdragon or CA Fuschia
 Attractive
 Extremely showy – one of best
flower colors
Robert Potts © California Academy of Sciences
© 2003 Loretta Metz © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

Growing shrubby monkeyflowers from
Collecting Monkeyflower seeds - easy seed
 Start in spring (or indoors)
 Let the capsules dry on the plant
 Most locally grown seed need no
 Collect the capsules; place in a treatment; mountain & N. CA seed may
need cold-moist treatment
paper bag in a cool, dry place for (stratification)
several weeks
 Mix seed with fine, dry sand (to aid in
 Either: spreading)
http://hazmac.biz/090916/090916MimulusFlemingii.html

 Break open capsules by hand  Prepare pots – regular potting mix fine –
 Rub over a mesh screen; separate water well & place in bright place
seeds from chaff by pouring
through a finer mesh  Sprinkle sand/seed mixture over potting
soil
 Store in a labeled envelope in a
cool, dry place
http://flowers-macrophotography.blogspot.com/2010/06/pests-on-mimulus-flower-help-gardeners.html
 Water seeds in; keep soil moist


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1/6/2013

Island Monkeyflower Use Island Monkeyflower
 Soils:
is undemanding  Texture: well-drained best, for a touch of red
but clays OK
 pH: any local
 As an attractive pot
 Light:
 Morning sun or dappled/light
plant
shade for best color &
growth

 Water:
 Winter: adequate
 Summer: best with occasional
water – Zone 2

 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/4142947199/
© 2004 Heath McAllister

* Santa Susanna Bush Monkeyflower – Diplacus rutilus Diplacus rutilus - Santa Susana Monkey
Flower

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/diplacus-rutilus

http://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=27584

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

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1/6/2013

Most CA native Monkeyflowers have
warm-colored flowers/foliage

http://www.wildflower http://www.anniesannuals.com/signs/m/mimulus_aurantiacus_a.htm
.org/plants/result.php
?id_plant=DIGR5

http://jimschrempp.com/friends/20070428CNPSGarden
Show.htm
http://www.visionspictures.com/cms_detail_base.php?pic_id=9825

Like CA Poppies, they
add a ‘spot of sunlight’ Glorious in so many settings
to the garden
http://www.uwgb.edu/heuerc/2D/ColorTerms.html http://wildsuburbia.blogspot.com/2009/09/irresistible-monkeyflowers.html

Why so much variability in the How do species arise/develop? How
Monkeyflowers? does this relate to the Monkeyflowers?
 Speciation: The evolutionary
formation of new biological
species, usually by the division of a
single species into two or more
genetically distinct ones.

 Allopatric Speciation -- speciation
occurs in geographic isolation –
many mountain (& even foothill)
species/populations have been
separated for 1000’s of years

Two ‘forms’ of  Founder Effect Speciation -- a
Diplacus puniceus special kind of allopatric speciation
in a small isolated population on
the edge of a species range –
© Project SOUND
‘Island Endemics’ © Project SOUND

14

Monkeyflowers - Notes

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