Skip to main content

Sharp-wing monkey-flower

Also known as: winged monkey-flower

Mimulus alatus Aiton

Images

Click on image to view full size

Sharp-wing monkey-flower
Sharp-wing monkey-flower leaf
Sharp-wing monkey-flower
Sharp-wing monkey-flower
Sharp-wing monkey-flower inflorescence
Sharp-wing monkey-flower corolla

Morphology

Stem
Ascending to erect, simple or branched above, 4-angled, glabrous; angles narrow-winged; branches spreading or ascending.
Leaves
Opposite, broadly ovate to broadly lanceolate, 1.2 to 4.8 inches long, .4 to 2.2 inches wide, glabrous; margins toothed; tip pointed; base tapering to narrowly-winged stalk .1 to 1.2 inch long.
Inflorescence
Pairs of flowers in leaf axils; stalks ascending, 1/12 to 1/3 inch long at flowering, longer in fruit.
Flower
Calyx 2/5 to 3/5 inch long, minutely pubescent within, tube strongly 5-angled; lobes 5, more or less equal, broad, tips bristle-like; corolla strongly 2-lipped, lavender, white, or purplish-blue; upper lip erect to reflexed, 2-lobed, .8 to 1.3 inch long; lower lip spreading, 3-lobed, glandular-hairy; throat with 2 elevated, yellowish ridges (palate) nearly closing throat; stamens 4, in 2 pairs of unequal length, included; style 2-lobed, included.
Fruit
Capsule, egg-shaped, 1/3 to 2/5 inch long, 2-celled, enclosed in persistent calyx; seeds numerous, tiny, oblong, light-brown.

Ecology

Habitat
Moist woods, stream banks, margins of lakes, marshy areas; partial shade; wet soil.
Distribution
East third of Kansas.

Additional Notes

Comments

From Latin mimulus, diminutive of mimus, to "mimic" or "buffoon", alluding to the face of the corolla grinning and Latin alatus "winged".

Quick Facts
Plant Type
Wildflower
Family
Phrymaceae - Lopseed Family
Life Span
Perennial
Height
12-32 inches
Origin
Native
Last Updated
2025-02-15
Color Groups
Blue, Purple, Lavender & Violet Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Blooms: July, August, September