monkey flower

American  

noun

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Mimulus, of the figwort family, as M. cardinalis scarlet monkey flower, having spotted flowers that resemble a face.

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monkey flower British  

noun

1. any of various scrophulariaceous plants of the genus Mimulus, cultivated for their yellow or red flowers See also musk

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Etymology

Origin of monkey flower

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

In spring, the area will be dotted with wild blooms of sticky monkey flower, canyon sunflower and golden yarrow.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a beautiful mix of pine and oak forest. Wonderful riparian areas too, though there isn’t a lot of surface water. It’s big so it’s a good bet. I was just up a couple weeks ago. The ceanothus blooms were stunning. The monkey flower, deerweed, penstemon and lupines were out in force too. Wildflower blooms last longer and start later the higher you go up in elevation. So quiet at certain times of the day. It’s an entirely different world than down in the valley.”

From Los Angeles Times

Williams’ landscape “canvas” is relatively small but lushly filled with 20 varieties of California native plants — salvias, ceanothus, buckwheats, mallows and such perennials as monkey flower and yarrow.

From Los Angeles Times

Williams’ landscape “canvas” is relatively small, but lushly filled with 20 varieties of California native plants — salvias, ceanothus, buckwheats, mallows and such perennials as monkey flower and yarrow.

From Los Angeles Times

Other colorful options include sticky monkey flower, a shrub with sticky leaves and deep yellow blooms, and the many varieties of penstemons with their colorful, deep-throated flowers.

From Los Angeles Times