Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Mimulus moschatus Douglas

Fully-hardy, small, creeping, water-loving perennial with masses of clear, pale yellow flowers, lightly dotted with brown, in summer to autumn.  To 30cm.  [RHSD, Hortus].  

Horticultural & Botanical History

In Victorian times it was grown in pots for its intense fragrance, which unaccountably disappeared in the 1920's.  It seems likely that more vigorous forms, such as Harrisonii, supplanted the scented form which is not known in the wild.  [RHSD].  ‘For this truly charming hardy perennial our gardens are indebted to Mr. Douglas, by whom it was found growing sparingly on the margins of springs in the country about the river Columbia [in 1826].’  [BR f.1118/1828].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H.151/1850].  Seed was ordered from Hurst and McMullen, Seedsmen and Florists of London, on 8th April 1846.  This is the likely source.

Notes

Published Apr 23, 2009 - 03:06 PM | Last updated Sep 05, 2011 - 02:43 PM

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Illustrated are toothed leaves and pale yellow flowers, lightly dotted with brown. Botanical Register f.1118, 1828.

Mimulus moschatus Douglas | BR f.1118/1828 | BHL

 

Family Scrophulariaceae
Category
Region of origin

North America
Synonyms
Common Name

Monkey musk
Name in the Camden Park Record

Mimulus moschatus

 
Confidence level high