Mimulus guttatus - Monkey flower - (Scrophulariaceae)

A relative of the foxglove and so a member of the family Scrophulariaceae, this short, creeping perrennial is often found growing beside ponds and trailing right into the surface. Some plants grow with their roots actually in shallow water.

This plant is common in parts of England and Scotland but is scarce in Ireland. It was originally brought to the UK from islands off the coast of Alaska and has since spread widely from gardens into the countryside. Monkey Flower is also found throughout northern and central Europe.

Mimulus grows beside a stream

Tiny red spots within the mouth of the flower help distinguish it from the smaller Musk and more boldly red-spotted import from Chile known as Blood-drop Emlets.

A closeup of the pretty yellow flowers of Mimulus guttatus

The plants on this page were photographed beside a chalkstream in the southern part of England.