2025 MURAL SPECIES!
michigan
monkey flower
Ojibwe: Ozaawa Waaskonens
Latin: Mimulus michiganensis
STATUS:
US STATUS: LE - Listed Endangered
MI STATUS: E - Endangered (Legally Protected)
ARTIST:
NICOLE SALGAR
Nicole Salgar is a painter and muralist of Latin descent whose work explores identity, culture, and human connection. Raised in Miami, her passion for travel and cultural immersion has shaped her bold, expressive style. Through artist residencies and community projects in Cuba, Europe, South America, and the East Coast, she uses art as a transformative force to inspire self-expression, elevate communities, and create meaningful dialogue.
Find more of Nicole’s work here!
EDUCATOR:
DAVID LOWRY
David Lowry is a Professor in the Department of Plant Biology at Michigan State University. His research focuses on understanding how plants adapt to different habitats and how those adaptations contribute to the evolution of new species. David has been conducting research on monkeyflowers since 2004.
Visit our Michigan Monkeyflower mural in downtown Grand Rapids at 56 Front Avenue NW!
Description:
Prostrate mat-forming forb of calcareous seeps in the Grand Traverse and Mackinac Straits areas; leaves rounded and opposite, with coarsely toothed margins; tubular flowers (15-25 cm) with yellow petals and a red-spotted lower lip.
Habitat and Occurrence
If you’re looking to find Pitcher’s Thistle for yourself, check within the following ecosystems within the green counties on the map!
• Headwater stream (1st-2nd order), pool
• Headwater stream (1st-2nd order), run
• Northern wet meadow
All information on this page is generously provided by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI). For more information about Michigan Monkey Flower - visit the species description here: mnfi.anr.msu.edu/michigan-monkey-flower. To learn more about Michigan’s biodiversity, ecological communities and natural heritage, visit mnfi.anr.msu.edu
get involved with michigan
monkey flower conservation!
While there are currently no Community Science projects specifically operating to benefit the preservation of Michigan Monkey Flower in Michigan, there are many organizations who work to protect the habitats where it resides! Volunteer with some of these organizations and help protect the habitat that Michigan Monkey Flower needs in order to survive.
report an observation
MNFI stewards the Michigan Natural Heritage Database and track observations of some of Michigan’s rarest forms of life to fully understand the population and range of rare species to protect biodiversity in Michigan. If you have encountered Michigan Monkey Flower, you can share the location information with these trusted conservation professionals here: mnfi.anr.msu.edu/species/report