Erythranthe lewisii (Lewis' monkeyflower, great purple monkeyflower) is a perennial plant in the family Phrymaceae. It is named in honor of explorer Meriwether Lewis. Together with other species in Erythranthe, it serves as a model system for studying pollinator-based reproductive isolation. It was formerly known as Mimulus lewisii.
Description Erythranthe lewisii is a perennial herb, with stem length ranging from 25 to 80 cm and individual leaves ranging from 20 to 70 mm. The vegetative tissue is covered with fine hairs. The flowers are medium in size, set on fairly long (30–70 mm) pedicels, and range in color from pale pink (generally found in the Sierra Nevada populations, sometimes separated as Erythranthe erubescens G.L.Nesom) to dark magenta (more common in the Cascade Range and Rocky Mountains populations), with a central pair of carotenoid-rich yellow nectar guides covered in trichomes on the lower lobe of the corolla. Occasional populations of white-flowered individuals (which do not express anthocyanin pigments in the corolla) are known.Calphotos: White Mimulus lewisii from Alpine Co., CAWildflower Bloom for Columbia & Great Basins of Central and Eastern Oregon 1995-2000: White Mimulus lewisii from eastern OregonLiberterre: Evolutions de Mimulus lewisii à Crater Lake dans l'Oregon
Taxonomy Erythranthe lewisii was given it the scientific name Mimulus lewisii in 1813 by Frederick Traugott Pursh. It was moved to the genus Erythranthe in 2012 by Guy L. Nesom and Naomi Fraga. Together with its genus it is classified in the family Phrymaceae. It has no accepted varieties, but it has nine synonyms according to Plants of the World Online.
Table of Synonyms Name Year Rank Notes Mimulus lewisii 1813 species ≡ hom. Mimulus lewisii var. albus 1915 variety = het. Mimulus lewisii f. albus 1966 form = het. Mimulus lewisii var. exsertus 1893 variety = het. Mimulus lewisii f. leuceruthrus 1929 form = het. Mimulus lewisii var. tetonensis 1902 variety = het. Mimulus lewisii f. tetonensis 1917 form = het. Mimulus roseus 1833 species = het. Mimulus roseus var. glabrior 1838 variety = het. Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym
Distribution and habitat Erythranthe lewisii is native to western North America from Alaska to California to Colorado, where it grows in moist habitat such as stream banks, and is generally found at higher elevations in montane areas.
Pollination Erythranthe lewisii is pollinated by bees (primarily Bombus and Osmia), which feed off of its nectar and transfer its pollen. Although it is fully interfertile with its sister species, E. cardinalis, the two do not interbreed in the wild, a difference ascribed primarily to pollinator differences (E. cardinalis is pollinated by hummingbirds) in areas of overlap.
Uses This plant is cultivated as an ornamental in mild or coastal areas, as it does not tolerate prolonged freezing. In the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It prefers a very damp soil in full sunlight.
Native Americans ate the leaves of the plant.
References
External links Jepson Manual Treatment USDA Plants Profile Photo gallery