Monkey flower (Mimulus) is a pretty diverse genus formerly in the recently re-thunk snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae), now in the lopseed family (Phrymaceae). The genus is at home in western North America and Australia. The two species pictured here are sticky monkey flower (M. aurantiacus - above) and seep monkey flower (M. guttatus - below). Note M. auriantiacus, seems to be moving to another genus: Diplacus.
Sticky monkey flower is a shrub that grows in dry slopes throughout California. The sticky is on the underside of the leaf. It's a resin produced by the plant to discourage caterpillars from devouring the leaves. Seep monkey flower is an herbaceous annual that grows in low lying ever-moist areas like springs and drainage ditches.
M. aurantiacus photos at top taken on May 20 at Alder Creek near Manchester. M. guttatus photos above taken near Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, and M. guttatus photos below taken by the side of Orr Springs Road east of Comptche on May 1.
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