Mimulus guttatus

Habit: upright or trailing perennial. The thick leaves are oval to slightly heart shaped, and clasp the stem near the top of the plant with elongated leaves and longer pedicels near the bottom of the plant. Some leaves appear smooth and succulent while others look soft and hairy. The flowers are tubular with a distinct upper and lower lip, the lower lip is hairy and spotted with red. Blossoms appear from early spring to early fall.

Ecology: found in seeps, streams, coastal wetlands and wet areas in the mountains at low to fairly high elevations, up to 8200 ft (2500 m).

Growing Conditions: full sun to partial shade in wet to moist soil with no drainage and can tolerate seasonal flooding.

Attracts hummingbirds to the garden, and spreads rapidly from seed and rhizomes.