Overview
The only plant entirely endemic to Michigan, the Michigan monkey-flower is found in cold calcareous springs, seeps and streams through northern white-cedar, as well as at the base of bluffs near the Great Lakes shoreline.
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Habitat
Michigan monkey-flower occurs in calcareous seeps in the Grand Traverse and Mackinac Straits areas.
Areas where ground water meets the surface.
Life Cycle
Michigan monkey-flower is an aquatic to semi-aquatic perennial plant. Flowering occurs primarily from approximately mid-June to August, extending occasionally into October.
Most Michigan monkey-flower populations primarily exhibit vegetative reproduction. A single population is known for sexual reproduction, however, pollinators have not been identified.
Similar Species
James' monkey-flower has morphological overlap with Michigan monkey flower. James' monkey-flower is more common and wide-ranging. The floral characteristics can be used to identify between the two species.
Physical Characteristics
Michigan monkey-flower can be identified by the rounded and opposite leaves, with coarsely toothed margins; tubular flowers that are 15 to 25 centimeters, with yellow petals and a red-spotted lower lip. The stems, which are 40 cenimeters or more, root freely to produce numerous additional shoots. It is semi-aquatic and forms mats over mucky soil and sand saturated or covered by cold, flowing spring water.
Geography
Michigan monkey-flower is endemic to Michigan. It can be found in the Grand Traverse and Mackinac Straits areas of the state.
Timeline
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