Mimulus moschatus
Musk Monkey Flower
a perennial member of the Mimulus genus in the family Scrophulariaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Scrophulariaceae
- Genus
- Mimulus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.3 m
- Spread
- 0.6 m
Uses
Edible uses
Young plant - boiled and used for food[7]. There are no edible uses listed for Mimulus moschatus.
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America - British Columbia to Montana and California. Naturalized in Britain[3].
- Habitat
- Naturalized in wet places in England and Eastern Ireland[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only lightly cover the seed[5]. 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[5]. Division in spring[5]. 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[5].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers rather moist places such as damp borders, margins of streams and boggy spots[1][2]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Thrives in full sun so long as the soil does not dry out[5], otherwise it is best grown in partial shade[4]. Grows well in shallow water, but it can be invasive[5]. Hardy to at least -15°c[5]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[5]. All parts of the plant have a musky scent, though the form naturalized in Britain, and most cultivars, appear to be scentless[3][5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)