Monkey Flower (MimuCus ringens) is a perennial 
with a smooth, square, hollow stem growing from one 
to three feet in height and branching considerably. The 
leaves, seated oppositely on the stem, are lance-shaped, 
pointed and slightly toothed. The flowers are few in 
number and are on long, slender pedicels from the axils 
of the upper leaves. They open one or two at a time. 
The pale purple flowers have two large lips, the upper 
divided into two lobes and the lower one into three, all 
broad and wavy. Four white stamens and a pistil 
nearly fill the throat, at the mouth of which are two 
bright orange-yellow spots. 
A small store of nectar is secreted in the base of the 
iiower tube. The double-yellow palate serves to close 
the entrance to the tube so that small useless insects 
may not be allowed to partake of the sweets within. 
When, however, the burly bumblebee alights upon the 
lower lip, his weight causes it to droop and allow easy 
access to its meager supply of nectar. Monkey flower 
is found in wet places from N. B. to Manitoba and 
southwards. 
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