1. A genus of flowering plants in the figwort family, commonly called monkey flowers, native to the Americas and characterized by colorful, spotted or striped flowers.
Usage: botanical term; often used in plural or as a mass noun when referring to the plants collectively

Examples

• The mimulus in the garden displayed bright yellow petals with red spots.
• Gardeners often plant mimulus near water features because they prefer moist soil.
• Several species of mimulus are native to California.
• The mimulus thrived in the shade of the larger shrubs.
• She collected seeds from the mimulus to propagate new plants next spring.