Seep monkeyflower
Erythranthe guttata, family Phrymaceae
A bright yellow wildflower of streamsides and seeps in western North America
Seep monkeyflower (Erythranthe guttata) is a yellow-flowered wild plant found along streams and wet places, mainly in western North America. It can be an annual or perennial, with tubular flowers that attract bees and leaves that are sometimes eaten. The plant is widely studied in science and has spread to places like New Zealand and the Faroe Islands.
- Tubular yellow flowers often spotted with red on the lower lip
- Native to wet places in western North America
- Leaves are edible, sometimes used in salads
- Widely used in scientific research as a model organism
- Introduced and now common in the Faroe Islands and New Zealand
What does Seep monkeyflower look like?
Seep monkeyflower is a variable plant, growing from 10 to 80 cm tall. Its leaves are opposite, round to oval, and often have coarse teeth or lobes. The bright yellow flowers are tubular, 2 to 4 cm long, and usually have red or reddish-brown spots on the lower lip. Flowers grow in clusters and have two lips, with the lower lip often spotted. The plant may be hairless or have some hairs, and the flower opening is hairy. It can be upright or trailing, sometimes rooting at the nodes.
Where does Seep monkeyflower come from?
Erythranthe guttata is native to western North America, where it grows wild along streams, seeps, and wet places from sea level up to 3,700 meters. It was first described as Mimulus guttatus in 1813 and renamed to Erythranthe guttata in 2012. The plant has adapted to a wide range of habitats, from ocean splash zones and deserts to alpine meadows and even mine tailings. It has been introduced to Europe, New Zealand, and the Faroe Islands, where it was brought in 1926 and has since become common.
When and how Seep monkeyflower blooms
The plant blooms in spring at lower elevations and in summer at higher ones. It grows as either an annual or perennial, spreading by seed, stolons, or rhizomes. It prefers moist soils and is found along water bodies. In gardens, it is cultivated for ornamental use and can be grown in traditional or habitat gardens. The plant is pollinated mainly by bees, but can also self-pollinate.
How Seep monkeyflower is used
Leaves of seep monkeyflower are edible, eaten raw or cooked, and sometimes used as a lettuce substitute in salads. The plant is popular in native plant gardens and for habitat restoration. It is also a major subject in scientific research, especially in genetics and ecology. In the Faroe Islands, it is known as 'laurusa blomstur' and has spread widely since its introduction.
Kinds of Seep monkeyflower
Erythranthe guttata is highly variable, forming a species complex with many forms that can be treated as separate species by some definitions. Both annual and perennial types exist, and the plant can be erect or trailing. Erythranthe nasuta, a related species, evolved from E. guttata in California and is now primarily self-pollinating.
What Seep monkeyflower means
Seep monkeyflower is a model organism in biology, with over a thousand scientific papers focused on it. Its genome is well studied, especially for plant-insect interactions and adaptation. In the Faroe Islands, it has a local name and story of introduction. The plant's ability to grow in harsh conditions and its variable forms make it notable in scientific and horticultural circles.
Questions people ask about Seep monkeyflower
Where does seep monkeyflower come from?
Seep monkeyflower is native to western North America, where it grows along streams, seeps, and wet places from sea level to high mountains. It has also been introduced to Europe, New Zealand, and the Faroe Islands.
What does the flower look like?
The flower is bright yellow, tubular, and 2 to 4 cm long, usually with red or reddish-brown spots on the lower lip. It grows in clusters and has two lips, with the lower lip often being spotted.
Is seep monkeyflower edible?
Yes, the leaves are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are sometimes used as a substitute for lettuce in salads and have a slightly bitter taste.
What is seep monkeyflower used for?
Besides being eaten, seep monkeyflower is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and is widely used in scientific research, especially in genetics, ecology, and plant-insect studies.
Does seep monkeyflower have any special meaning or symbolism?
The sources do not mention any specific symbolism, but in the Faroe Islands it is known as 'laurusa blomstur' and has a story of introduction by an Icelandic woman.
Good reading and sources
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesIUCN Red List, Article
- Mimulus guttatusRoyal Horticultural Society, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Erythranthe guttata on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Erythranthe guttata", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.