Erythranthe Alsinoides, Chickweed Monkeyflower

Day 238: Those taxonomists are at it again. It's hard to keep up with the changes brought about due to DNA research. The genus Mimulus has become Erythranthe, a change which to the best of my knowledge affects all Monkeyflowers across the board. That field guide you bought last week? It's out of date, and trust me, by the time the revision goes to press, more species will have been assigned to other genera.

Today, I bring you Mim...no...Erythranthe alsinoides, also known as Chickweed Monkeyflower. Why "chickweed?" I have no idea. The flower is smaller than that of most other Monkeyflowers, its bright yellow monkey-face nevertheless bearing the red spots which make the genus one of the most recognizable in the field. It stands a mere six inches tall, the flower 8-14 mm. in length as opposed to 2-4 cm. for Erythranthe guttatus. Like its cousins, it enjoys keeping its feet cool and can be found in seeps and damp rock crevices as well as along streambanks. At least six species of Monkeyflower (formerly Mimulus, now Erythranthe) can be found in Mount Rainier National Park.