Short description of Mimulus guttatus, Monkeyflower

Monkey flower is a tall, upright plant with opposite, slightly fleshy and strongly toothed, sessile or shortly petiolate leaves which produces large, showy yellow flowers. It is very stoloniferous and so tends to form extensive stands in suitable conditions.

Impact summary: Mimulus guttatus, Monkeyflower

Monkey flower typical established at low density and so has little evident impact.

Habitat summary: Mimulus guttatus, Monkeyflower

In its native region, it occurs in marshland, high altitude meadows and on the banks of streams and pools. In Europe, it grows along streams, ditches, rivers and lakes, in wet pastures; and occasionally on disturbed ground. 

Overview table

Environment	Terrestrial
Species status	Non-Native
Native range	Western Canada, Western half United States, Alaska United States
Functional type	Land plant
Status in England	Non-Native
Status in Scotland	Non-Native
Status in Wales	Non-Native
Location of first record	v.c.35
Date of first record	1824

Origin

Monkey flower is native to the western United States, parts of Canada and Mexico, occurring from Alaska south to Mexico and inland from the North-west Territories, south through North and South Dakota to New Mexico. There are also populations scattered through the northern United States, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York State, Connecticut, Delaware and New Brunswick.

First Record

Monkey flower is thought to have been introduced to cultivation in 1812 and was first recorded in the wild in 1824.

Pathway and Method

Monkey flower spreads both by seed and by stolons; it may also be able to grow from detached pieces of the lower stem or rhizomes.

Species Status

The species is widespread in Europe; including Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, northern France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia in Europe, Sweden and Switzerland. In GB, it initially spread only very slowly, occurring only in 113 10km squares in 1970 and then only 150 in 1986. However, by 1999, it had increased to 780 10 km squares and continues to increase rapidly, with records from over 1300 10km squares in 2010.

Dispersal Mechanisms

Within wetland systems, it is likely that it spreads both by seed and by rooting of detached fragments. It is most likely to disperse between wetlands by seed, carried on boats, machinery used to maintain water bodies, on fishing equipment and even on clothing. It is also possible that animals transport plants between sites.

Reproduction

Monkey flower flowers and sets abundant seed, however it is also capable of vegetative spread by rooting of detached fragments of stem or rhizome.

Known Predators/Herbivores

None known.

Resistant Stages

None known.

Habitat Occupied in GB

Monkey flower is most frequent along the margins of streams, ditches and rivers. It will also occur around lakes, in springs and occasionally on damp disturbed ground away from wetlands.

Monkey flower is established throughout most suitable habitat in GB, it is absent only from extensive areas of East Anglia and the East Midlands.

Environmental Impact

Although it can occasionally form quite dense, monospecific stands; it is very unlikely that it has any significant impact on natural ecosystems.

Health and Social Impact

None known.

Economic Impact

None known.

Identification

Stace, C.A. (2010) New flora of the British Isles, Third Edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Lansdown, R.V. (2009) A field guide to the riverine plants of Britain and Ireland, Ardeola, Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Biology, ecology, spread, vectors

Tokarska-Guzik, B. & Dajdok, Z. (2010) NOBANIS – Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet – Mimulus guttatus. – From: Online Database of the North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species – NOBANIS www.nobanis.org, Date of access 2/12/2010.

Management and impact

Tokarska-Guzik, B. & Dajdok, Z. (2010) NOBANIS – Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet – Mimulus guttatus. – From: Online Database of the North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species – NOBANIS www.nobanis.org, Date of access 2/12/2010.

General

Tokarska-Guzik, B. & Dajdok, Z. (2010) NOBANIS – Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet – Mimulus guttatus. – From: Online Database of the North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species – NOBANIS www.nobanis.org, Date of access 2/12/2010.