Erythranthe moschata aka Muskflower

Erythranthe moschata is a small perennial in the Phrymaceae family. Sources also list it under the name Mimulus moschatus. Common names include musk plant, musk flower, and eyebright. Its native range spans Canada and the northern and western United States. It grows in temperate regions and can form rhizomes. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. It has become established in wet sites in England and eastern Ireland.

Plants reach about 1 foot (0.3 metres) tall. They can spread to about 2 feet (0.6 metres) wide. This low form suits damp beds and bog gardens. The plant flowers from July to August. Musk scent is a known trait of the species. Yet scent is not a reliable feature of every plant. PFAF reports that plants naturalized in Britain often lack it. The supplied species evidence gives no clear flower colour or fruit details.

Moisture is the main need when choosing a planting site. Damp borders, stream edges, and boggy ground all suit it. It also grows in shallow water, where it may spread invasively. Give it full sun only where the soil stays wet. Partial shade is a better choice where soil may dry. It accepts sandy soil, loam, and clay, including heavy clay. Its soil range spans mildly acid to mildly alkaline conditions. PFAF lists USDA zones 6–9 and hardiness to at least −15°C.

Gardeners can raise new plants from seed, division, or softwood cuttings. Sow seed in a greenhouse in spring with a light covering. Move seedlings into separate pots once they are large enough. Plant them outside in summer. Direct sowing is another option after the last expected spring frost. Divide established plants in spring. Large divisions can go straight into their final sites. Grow smaller pieces in pots until they establish well. Keep these in light shade before planting them out. Take softwood cuttings in spring or summer.

PFAF records boiled young plants as a food use. It gives the species a low edibility score. It reports no known hazards, but this does not establish safety for pets. It lists no known medicinal uses or other practical uses. Its garden role is chiefly in wet beds and bog gardens. Watch its spread in shallow water despite its general non-weed listing.