Flower ID: IMG_2666.JPG-08-15-2019 Flower name (scientific): Mimulus ringens Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) MIM-yoo-luss RIN-jens Flower name (common): Allegheny Monkey Flower Family name (common): Lopseed Family name (scientific): Phrymaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek for mask-flower, that is, the flowers supposedly resemble a face. Alternatively, perhaps from the Latin mīmus for mime, suggesting the resemblance of the flowers to a mask. The OED notes that actors in mimes in ancient times probably did not wear masks. Specific epithet: Having an open mouth; a two-lipped mouth; the mouth of a two-lipped corolla. Common name origin: From the supposed resmblance to a simian face. Flower description: Size: 0.7 to 1.0 inches (1.8 to 2.5 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: blue or purple Other: flower arrangement, Solitary Plant description: Size: 6 to 40 inches (15 to 102 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple Size: Leaves up to 10 to 15 cm long and up to 2 to 3.5 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, oblanceolate to narrowly oblong or elliptic-lanceolate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): July to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Streambanks, pond margins, wet meadows, swamps, sun or part shade, wet or moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): In Wisconsin no close lookalikes. Mimulus alatus (Sharpwing Monkey Flower) is similar, though the flowers of this species are usually pink. For Mimulus ringens the flower pedicels are 12 mm or longer and the leaves are sessile or clasping, whereas Mimulus alatus has flower pedicels that are 0 to 12 mm in length and leaves with petioles. Mimulus alatus is not reported from Wisconsin or Minnesota, but present in the more southern and eastern states. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes from Wisconsin. The Iroquois used the plant as a treatment for epilepsy and as a poison antidote (Moerman, p. 344, 1998). Latitude: 44.800157 Longitude: -91.507807 Altitude: 239.40 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV) In Canada: (AB, MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Mimulus ringens var. ringens (The other infraspecific is Mimulus ringens var. colpophilus Fernald which has been recorded from the north eastern region of North America.)