Did you know that the Glen Lake Association helps to preserve and protect the rarest flower in Michigan? Michigan monkeyflower (MMF) only grows in Michigan and is on the federal endangered species list.
This beautiful little yellow flower is extremely rare, with only 23 known locations in the world – all 23 locations are in Michigan in the Grand Traverse region and the straits of Mackinac. One of these locations is in our watershed on the south shore of Big Glen at Old Settlers Park. This colony is thriving, thanks in part to Glen Lake riparian and botanist Jody Marquis, who helped re-establish Michigan monkeyflower on the shores of Glen Lake about 25 years ago. Over the years, other riparians have joined this effort to protect and foster it along with help from the Glen Lake Association, Little Garden Club, Leelanau County Parks and Recreation Commission, and contractor Laurel Voran, among others.
The Little Garden Club graciously awarded a grant to the GLA again this year, which along with our own funding, funds from Leelanau County and donations from neighboring riparians and contractor, Laurel Voran, allow her and her crew to maintain and expand the MMF habitat at Old Settlers Park by removing overly competitive vegetation, allowing MMF to thrive.
What is Michigan Monkeyflower (Mimulus michiganensis)?
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Ideal Habitat: Mucky soil of stream edges, alkaline environment (pH 7.66 – 8.21) and 62°F flowing water; proper ratio of shade and sun
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Habit: Stems grow to approximately 15″, trailing horizontally, rooting in at each leaf node to form low mats of plant colonies
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Flowers: Bright yellow, shaped like snapdragons; blooms from early June thru early August
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Name: The Michigan monkey flower gets its name because its flowers are said to resemble a monkey’s face, particularly with the flower’s shape and the way it opens
Why does it need protection?
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Without active protection, monkeyflower patches can easily be overrun by more aggressive plants such as forget-me-not, watercress, jewelweed, and mint
How is the Old Settlers Park Colony Doing Now?
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Great! Existing MMF colonies at Old Settlers Park continue increasing in size as competition is removed; the flower is now growing in areas that were previously solid jewelweed
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There are now enough MMF colonies to be visible from the park’s viewing platform