WILD FLOWERS BLUE AND PURPLE 



for half its length. This species ranges from Maine 

 to Manitoba, south to the Gulf States. 



MONKEY FLOWER 



Mimulus ringens. Figwort Family. 



With erected ears and extended jowls, this gaping, 

 grinning ape of the damp, grassy jungle greets us cutely 

 with its impudent, animated poise, from June to Sep- 

 tember. If its lower lip is pulled downward and allowed 

 to close again, the operation causes one to experience 

 a strong inclination to yawn. And right here, this same 

 operation fancifully suggests an exaggerated grin that 

 has given rise to its Latin name, which is derived from 

 the Greek, mimus, a small, mimicking ape or buffoon. 

 The square-stemmed Monkey Flower is usually found 

 in rnoist meadows or swamp land, particularly along 

 cool streams and in company with rank growths of 

 grass and other vegetation peculiar thereto. Here their 

 pertinent, inquisitive flowers seem to strain their tethers 

 in an effort to satisfy their apparent curiosity at one's 

 presence. The attractive blossoms open one or two 

 at a time toward the top of the slender, leafy stalk. 

 Their pale violet or occasionally white corolla appears 

 delightfully cool and cheerful on a hot, midsummer's 

 day, and it is a pleasant relief to come unexpectantly 

 upon them, as is often the case when the path follows 

 along the near bank of a stream. The smooth, hollow 

 stalk is erect and rises from one to three feet in height. 

 Two of its sides are flattened, and the other two are 

 deeply grooved. These flattened surfaces alternate 



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