Bird spiderflower vs Great Purple Monkey Flower

Bird spiderflower (Cleome ornithopodioides) and Great Purple Monkey Flower (Mimulus lewisii) — side-by-side cultivation, uses, and safety.

SIDE A

Bird spiderflower

Cleome ornithopodioides

Scrophulariaceaeedible

SIDE B

Mimulus lewisii (Great Purple Monkey Flower) — botanical photograph

Side-by-side attributes

Attribute	Bird spiderflower	Great Purple Monkey Flower
Latin name	Cleome ornithopodioides	Mimulus lewisii
Family	Scrophulariaceae	Scrophulariaceae
Edible	yes	yes
Medicinal	no	no
Life cycle	Annual	Perennial
Mature height	0.3 m	0.6 m
Light	Full sun	Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water	Dry, Moist	Moist, Wet, water
Soil	Light (sandy), Medium	Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness	—	4-8
pH range	—	—
Edible parts	Seed	Leaves
Propagation	—	—

III

Which to pick

Both have their place

Bird spiderflower and Great Purple Monkey Flower cover similar territory. Pick based on what you can actually grow (climate, soil) and what's locally available. See the cultivation rows above for the deciding factors.

Frequently asked

What is the main difference between Bird spiderflower and Great Purple Monkey Flower?

Bird spiderflower (Cleome ornithopodioides) and Great Purple Monkey Flower (Mimulus lewisii) are both in the Scrophulariaceae family. See the side-by-side table above for cultivation needs, edible parts, and medicinal uses.

Can Bird spiderflower and Great Purple Monkey Flower be combined?

Plant combinations should be evaluated case by case. Check the safety/contraindications section on each plant's profile (Bird spiderflower and Great Purple Monkey Flower) before mixing. Some combinations are synergistic, others can interact with medication.

Are these plants safe?

Every plant profile includes a Cautions section with contraindications, drug interactions, and population warnings. Consult a healthcare professional before using either for medicinal purposes.

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