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Common Name: Great Purple Monkey Flower

General Information

Mimulus lewisii is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.60 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Western N. America - Alaska to Mexico.

Habitat

Moist areas, stream edges and wet slopes[]. In and along streams from moderate to high elevations[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers rather moist places such as damp borders, margins of streams and boggy spots[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Thrives in full sun so long as the soil does not dry out[], otherwise it is best grown in partial shade[]. This species tolerates slightly drier conditions than M. guttatus, it prefers a rich soil in light woodland[].
Hardy to at least -20°c[]. Another report says that plants are only hardy in the milder parts of Britain[].
There is some confusion over the naming of this plant, the entry on edibility may refer to M. luteus, which is closely related to this species.

Edible Uses

Leaves and stems - raw or cooked[].

Medicinal

Poultice[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only lightly cover the seed[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
If you have sufficient seed it can also be sown in situ in late spring after the last expected frosts[].
Division in spring[]. Very easy, large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Cuttings of softwood, 5cm long in spring or summer[].