Cardinal Monkeyflower
Scarlet Monkeyflower
Mimulus cardinalis
Photographed along Mesquite Wash, Maricopa Co., Arizona. May 2, 2004. This image is hosted at full resolution on Wikimedia Commons.
FLOWERS: Deep scarlet red with four exserted stamens and a long exserted
style. Blooming period is from mid spring through summer.
PERENNIAL: A perennial herb of those rare places in the Sonoran Desert
that are moist nearly year-round. Mostly less than 1
meter tall and forming loose clumps.
LEAVES: Alternate leaves are broadly elyptic with 3 or 5 prominent veins
and toothed margins.
RANGE: Rare in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Found only in partially
shady springs and seeps with moist soil.
FRUIT: Upon maturity, dry capsules split open near apex releasing many
seeds.
UNARMED. Without thorns.
The red flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds such as the Black-chinned Hummingbird.