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Volume IV (1988) - Flora of New Zealand Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons
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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.

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