Erythranthe naiandina, the Chilean monkey flower (Spanish: berro rosado), is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Phrymaceae. It is native to Chile. This plant has been awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society.[2][3] It was formerly known as Mimulus naiandinus.[1]

Erythranthe naiandina
Talca, Maule Region, Chile, 2023
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Phrymaceae
Genus: Erythranthe
Species:
E. naiandina
Binomial name
Erythranthe naiandina
(J.M.Watson & C.Bohlen) G.L.Nesom[1]

Taxonomy

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This species was first described by John Michael Watson and Christian von Bohlen in a paper published in 2000.[4]

Distribution

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This plant is found within Region VI and Region VII in Chile at low altitudes and interior valleys.[5]

Description

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The flowers are trumpet-shaped and are usually white or pink with purple spots. Like most plants in and formerly in the genus Mimulus, the patterns on their flowers cause them to resemble a grinning monkey, hence the vernacular name 'monkey flower' for such plants.[2][3][6]

This species can grow 30 cm wide and up to 20 cm tall. It is deciduous.[2]

Cultivation

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The rock gardening enthusiasts Watson, who first described the species, and Martyn Cheese first collected it Chile and introduced this species into cultivation in Britain in the 1990s, where it was sold there under the name Mimulus cv. 'Andean Nymph'.[3][7] In the USA it was propagated and sold under the cultivar name 'Mega Spunky Monkey' or simply 'Mega'.[6]

It can be propagated with seeds between late winter and early spring,[6] softwood cuttings or by division into multiple plants. It can be grown in water-retentive and/or well-drained soil, as long as the soil remains moist.[2][3]

Pests and diseases

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This plant is prone to powdery mildews. Snails and slugs may also consume this plant.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Mimulus naiandinus J.M.Watson & C.Bohlen | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science".
  2. ^ a b c d e "Mimulus naiandinus | Chilean monkey flower/RHS Gardening". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  3. ^ a b c d e Shoot. "Mimulus naiandinus Chilean monkey flower Berro rosado 'Andean Nymph' Care Plant Varieties & Pruning Advice". www.shootgardening.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  4. ^ Watson, J. M.; Bohlen, C. Von (2000). "Plate 400. Mimulus naiandinus". Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 17 (4): 195–201. doi:10.1111/1467-8748.00271. ISSN 1467-8748.
  5. ^ "Description and images of Mimulus naiandinus (Berro rosado), a native Chilean plant, provided by the supplier of native exotic Chilean seeds, Chileflora.com". www.chileflora.com. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  6. ^ a b c "Mimulus naiandinus 'Mega', Monkey Flower 'Mega Spunky Monkey' in GardenTags plant encyclopedia". GardenTags. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  7. ^ Watson, J.M. (2019). "Lest we forget. A new identity and status for a Viola of section Andinium W. Becker; named for an old and treasured friend and companion. Plus another..." (PDF). International Rock Gardener (117): 47–. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-10-01.