We value your privacy

We use cookies and other technologies to enhance your experience, analyse site usage, help with reporting, and assist in other ways to improve the website. You can choose to allow cookies and other technologies or decline. Your choice will not affect site functionality.

Click for help
Volume IV (1988) - Flora of New Zealand Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons
Copy a link to this page Cite this record

Mimulus L.

MIMULUS L.

Annual or perennial herbs or small shrubs, often glandular-hairy, sometimes glabrous. Lvs opposite, entire or toothed. Fls usually solitary, axillary, occasionally in terminal racemes. Calyx tubular, 5-angled and equally or unequally 5-toothed or 5-lobed. Corolla somewhat irregular to strongly 2-lipped; tube cylindric to funnelform; upper lip 2-lobed, reflexed or erect; lower lip of 3 spreading lobes; throat open or closed by a pouch. Stamens 4, included. Fr. a loculicidal capsule dehiscing on 1 or both sides. Seeds numerous, patterned, very small; wing 0.

Key

1
Stems succulent, prostrate and mat-forming; corolla light purple, sometimes appearing bleached, red-spotted, with yellow throat
3. repens
Stems not succulent, ascending or erect and not forming a prostrate mat; corolla yellow, sometimes marked with red
2
2
Plant densely glandular-hairy throughout; corolla 1.5-2 cm long
2. *moschatus
Vegetative parts glabrous or nearly so, corolla > 3 cm long
3
3
Infl. glandular-hairy; corolla throat ± closed by pouch
1. *guttatus
Infl. glabrous; corolla throat open, without prominent pouch
*luteus ζ

c. 100 spp., widespread but mainly N. America. Native sp. 1, naturalised 3.

Mimulus spp. are notable for their flattened 2-lobed stigmas which are sensitive to the touch.

Click to go back to the top of the page
Top