Mimulus ‘Smithii’
‘Flowers of this beautiful plant were put into our hands last autumn by Mr. George Smith, nurseryman of Islington, who informed us he had raised it between M. variegatus, fertilized by M. luteus rivularis. It is a hardy plant, with all the habit of M. luteus rivularis, and no doubt the same cultivation as that species.’ As figured it has yellow flowers with large red blotches at the tips of the petals, and spotted red in the throat. [BR f.1674/1834]. Introduced in 1832. [PD].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Both parents are figured in Loddiges’ Botanical Cabinet, rivularis at LBC no.1575/1831 and variegatus at LBC no.1872/1834. ‘The present subject [Mimulus smithii], and the Youngii, which bear a close resemblance to each other, are, without exception, the most beautiful plants of this genus known. The plant is a hybrid, raised probably between the rivularis and variegatus, but we are not acquainted with its history. It partakes much of the habit of the rivularis, and is a very profuse flowerer.’ [MB p.54/1834]. ‘I well remember the interest excited on receiving blooms of Mimulus smithii some twenty years ago; but this soon gave way to still more beautiful varieties.’ [Gard. Chron. 1852].
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H.152/1850].
Notes
For more information on Mimulus as florists’ flowers see Mimulus luteus L.
Published Jan 29, 2009 - 04:52 PM | Last updated Sep 05, 2011 - 02:52 PM
Family | Scrophulariaceae |
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Category | |
Region of origin | |
Synonyms |
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Common Name | Monkey musk, Yellow monkey flower |
Name in the Camden Park Record | Mimulus Smithii
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Confidence level | high |