Sticky Monkey

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These hardy flowers are known for their medicinal qualities. Native Americans valued them for use in traditional healing practices. This week, wildflower expert, Cheryl Lisin of the Lost Coast Interpretive Association, gives us a quick recap of this local resident.

Cheryl says,

Sticky monkey flower is a native shrub with sticky leaves. Most have showy orange flowers, but some have cream, white or burgundy flowers. No matter what color, flowers are pollinated by both insects and hummingbirds. A true Californian, sticky monkey flower ranges from the Oregon border in the north to the Baja border, and from all along the coast to the eastern foothills. It grows on rocky slopes, chaparral and in open forests. Along the coast, plants bloom and their leaves stay green most of the year. If growing in drier conditions, plants bloom in spring and go summer dormant to survive the dry season. Flowers and roots have antiseptic properties and had many uses for native Californians.

 

The scientific name is Mimulus aurantiacus. Of the 19 species of Mimulus growing in California’s north west, aurantiacus is the only drought tolerant shrub. The others are annuals and perennials, most preferring moist conditions.

monkey

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guest (NOT the other one)
Guest
guest (NOT the other one)
8 years ago

Very versatile — and can be very nice addition to a flower garden (even in containers). Especially nice when they bloom intermingled with Douglas Iris. Also fairly drought tolerant. (Photo off the ‘net — hope the upload works.)

Hillsides in the Los Padres NF (this one near Big Sur) are sometimes painted yellow with Monkey Flowers in bloom.
[Phooey — will try again]

guest (NOT the other one)
Guest
guest (NOT the other one)
8 years ago

2nd try

Ernie Branscomb
Guest
Ernie Branscomb
8 years ago

Soooo.. I have a flower that looks just like that, sticky and all, that grows with water trickling over it’s feet in my pond. I got it out of the drainage ditch on Benbow Drive. Also near water. What is this ” drought tolerant shrub?”

cheryl
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cheryl
8 years ago

It likes wet or dry! It looks better with summer water, but that leads to a shorter life. Your pond sounds nice.

guest (NOT the other one)
Guest
guest (NOT the other one)
8 years ago

That’s why “versatile.”
Local nurseries almost always have a number of different varieties — even some bi-colors — and all are VERY patient growers for people with brown thumbs, and given optimal conditions are often amazing performers should that appendage be green.

nines
Guest
8 years ago

That top image is really well done.

Stu
Guest
Stu
8 years ago

Here is the Sticky Monkey Flower in my yard!

Ben
Guest
Ben
8 years ago

It is the food source for a butterfly called the Chalcedon Checkerspot… I don’t see them here but common in S. CA and out around Zenia…

Ivan B. Nobody
Guest
Ivan B. Nobody
8 years ago

On the Garberville bluffs. [foto:pernel]