Monkeyflowers
What are they?
The Monkeyflowers and Muskflowers form part of the family Phrymaceae, a family centred on North America and eastern Asia and which was in the past contained with the much larger family, Scrophulariaceae. These are mostly small, perennial plants with tubular-based flowers that open out into a broad, two-lipped opening with five petal lobes.
Where are they found?
As introductions, these plants are likely to be found in urban environments as escapes from cultivation, although one species has become established in some areas as an alien along rivers and streams.
Identification
The species of monkeyflower hybridise freely in cultivation and the various form can be very hard to tell apart but, for now at least, only a few species of monkeyflower have so far been recorded in our region and can be identified based on general appearance and habitat.
Common Monkeyflower Erythranthe guttata
Introduced as a garden plant from North America. A plant of wet habitats that has escaped cultivation and is becoming well established along a few rivers in the region, especially in North Norfolk. Flowers July to September. Can form quite extensive colonies but may also be found as single plants.
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Hybrid Monkeyflower Erythranthe x hybrida
Hybrids raised in cultivation between two or more of the North American monkeyflower species. Flowers July to September. Occasionally used in amenity planting schemes or escaping from cultivation in urban areas. Flowers come in a wide range of colours, typically predominantly shades of red, yellow or orange, with or without darker spots, or white/cream with pinkish or purple markings.
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