Identification
This native perennial has erect, square stems, 1-3 feet tall. Stalkless, often clasping, leaves have shallow marginal teeth and are opposite on the stems (A). The long- stalked, tubular flowers are blue-purple and about 1 inch long, with a small, two-lobed erect upper lip and a larger, three-lobed lower lip (C). The lower lip which serves as a “landing pad” for pollinators has a pale yellow or whitish throat often with two brownish spots (C). Enclosing the base of the flower is a green tubular calyx with 5 pointed teeth (B).
Grows along rivers, lake shores and other wet places, flowering from July through September. Uncommon along the Missouri River at Fontenelle forest and Neale Woods. Uncommon in wet places on the floodplain at Fontenelle Forest.
Bumblebees are one of the few insects strong enough to force open the flower’s lips to get to the nectar.
When squeezed from the sides, the lips open and the flower resembles the face of a monkey, hence the common name. Another common name is Square-Stemmed Monkey Flower.
Plants in the Genus Mimulus were recently moved from the Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae) to their present spot in the Lopseed Family (Phrymaceae).
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.