Yellow Monkey Flower, Seep monkeyflower

Mimulus guttatus

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Basic Information

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Genus: mimulus

Plant ID (slug): mimulus-guttatus

Numeric ID: 23257

USDA Hardiness: 5-9

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Mimulus guttatus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to September. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

Distribution

Western N. America - Alaska to Mexico. Naturalized in Britain.

Habitats

Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Leaves - raw or cooked[94, 105, 155, 172]. A slightly bitter flavour, they are added to salads[161, 183]. The leaves are used as a lettuce substitute[257].

Medicinal Uses

Astringent Bach Poultice Vulnerary The plant is astringent, poultice and vulnerary[94, 172, 257]. A decoction of the leaves and stems has been used as a herbal steam bath for chest and back soreness[257]. A poultice of the crushed leaves has been applied to wounds, rope burns etc[257]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Fear or anxiety of a known origin'[209].