Seep Monkeyflower
Erythranthe guttata
The seep monkeyflower is highly variable in appearance, though typically quite leafy. The plant ranges from small and spindly and to large and bushy in appearance. Tall stalks, 2-3 ft in length, are topped by soft, round, toothed leaves of light green and spikes of yellow flowers. The bright yellow flowers are tubular with two upper petals curving backwards and three lower petal lobes, the middle of which is wider than the other two. The lower lobes create a single hump, which is speckled with orange-red or purple spots.
Basic Information
Member of Phrymaceae, or lopseed, family
Close relative to the Scarlet Monkeyflower, Erythranthe cardinalis
This is a highly variable plant with many forms known as a species complex; in other words, some of its forms are treated as different species
There are many varieties of this plant
Both annual and perennial forms occur throughout this species' range
Habitat
Native throughout most of California and western North America
Primarily grows along the stream banks and seeps
Found in a wide array of habitats, including the Pacific Ocean’s splash zone, Yellowstone’s geysers, alpine meadows, and even on the edges of toxic copper mines
Sometimes this plant is aquatic, floating in up to two feet of water
Ecological Role
Blooms are a favorite of hummingbirds
Has a wide spreading root system that filters water
Reproduction
Blooms in spring and winter
Predominantly a bee-pollinated wildflower, although butterflies and hummingbirds also pollinate this plant
The plant has an aggressive, underground rhizome system. The horizontal roots sprout new plants frequently, so the seep monkeyflower is often found in clustered colonies
Alternative Names
Common Large Monkeyflower, Common Monkeyflower, Common Yellow Monkeyflower, Seep Monkey-flower, Yellow Monkeyflower, Yellow Monkey Flower
The scientific name is often interchangeable with Mimulus guttatus
Historical Uses
The Mendocino Indians ate the food as a lettuce-like leaf
The Miwok ate the boiled leaves
The Kawaiisu used a decoction of the stems and leaves as a steam bath for chest and back soreness
The Shoshoni applied a poultice of crushed leaves to wounds and rope burns
The Yavapal took a decoction as a tea for stomach aches
Additional Information
The seep monkeyflower is a model organism for evolution and ecology studies. There may be as many as 1000 scientific papers about this species!
