Montia-like monkeyflower facts for kids

The montia-like monkeyflower (scientific name: Erythranthe montioides) is a special type of monkeyflower. You can find this plant growing naturally in the Sierra Nevada mountains and their lower hills in California. It has also been seen in the mountains close to Carson City, Nevada. This flower likes to grow in damp places in the mountains. It also grows well in rocky or disturbed soils. This plant used to be called Mimulus montioides.

What Does It Look Like?

The montia-like monkeyflower is a small plant. It is an annual herb, which means it lives for only one growing season. This plant can grow up to about 18 centimeters (7 inches) tall. Its stems and leaves are a bit hairy.

Leaves and Stems

The leaves grow in pairs, one on each side of the stem. They are long and narrow, like a line. Each leaf can be up to 3 centimeters (about 1 inch) long.

Flowers

The flowers of the montia-like monkeyflower are very interesting. They have a tube shape at the bottom and then open up wide at the top. These flowers can be yellow, purple, or even two colors at once (bicolored). In some areas, you might find plants with different colored flowers growing together.

The wide part of the flower is divided into five main sections. Each of these five sections might be split into two smaller parts. This gives the flower a unique look.