Monkey Flower
Mimulus ringens
from Nearctica
Identification: Flowers large, pastel violet. Base of flower tubular with 5 free petal lobes. Upper 2 petal lobes erect, slightly twisted. Lower 3 petal lobes broad, middle lobe with two patches of yellow hairs. Sepals fused into a elongate, rectangular capsule. Flower stalk (pedicel) long, much longer than the calyx. Flowers arising from leaf axils. Stem square. Leaves in opposite pairs, elongate-ovate, with weakly toothed outer margins. Leaves sessile to the stem. Plant 1 to 3 feet in height.
Distribution: Throughout eastern North America. Also occurs in central North America and the Pacific Coast states.
Habitat: Square-stemmed Monkey Flower is found in swamps, along rivers and streams, and in other wet places.
Flowering period: June to September.