Mimulus puniceus ‘Torrey Pines’ (Red monkeyflower)

This monkeyflower is a cultivar, not found in the wild. I was unable to find out why it is named after Torrey pines, but it is probably derived from Mimulus arantiacus var. puniceus, which is found at Torrey Pines State Park. (There’s also a Torrey’s monkeyflower, Mimulus torreyi).

Flowers: The flowers of this cultivar are red and tubular, about ¾″ (2 cm) long and ½″ (1.5 cm) in diameter. They have two upper petals with scalloped tips, and three lower petals. The flowers somewhat resermble a monkey’s face, hence the common name.

Habitats: The natural plants are found in scrub communities and disturbed areas; below 3800′ (1.2 km). They prefer sandy, coarse-grained soils, in partial sun.

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin)
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Asteridae	A large class that encompasses asters
Order	Lamiales	Aromatic herbs and shrubs, including lavender, lilac, olive, jasmine, ash, teak, snapdragon, sesame, psyllium, garden sage, mint, basil, and rosemary
Family	Phrymaceae	Lopseed family
Genus	Mimulus	From Greek mimō, “ape” (from the shape of the corolla); historically the genus was “Scrophulariaceae”
Species	puniceus	Latin for “purple”

About plant names...

Range: Zones 7-10:

About this map...

Mimulus puniceus ‘Torrey Pines’ description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.