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Little purple monkeyflower facts for kids

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Little purple monkeyflower
Scientific classification
Genus:
Erythranthe
Species:
purpurea

The Erythranthe purpurea is a special plant often called the little purple monkeyflower. It's a type of monkeyflower and used to be known as Mimulus purpureus. This tiny plant is known for its pretty purple flowers.

Where Does It Live?

This little purple monkeyflower is native to California, specifically found in the San Bernardino Mountains. It grows in only about 20 known spots there. You can also find it further south in Baja California.

Mountain Homes

This plant loves to grow in wet places, like damp areas in mountain meadows. It especially likes a unique type of soil called quartz pebble plain habitat, which is found near Big Bear Lake. These areas are perfect for the little monkeyflower to thrive.

What Does It Look Like?

The Erythranthe purpurea is a very small plant. It's an annual herb, which means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies all in one year. It only grows a few centimeters tall, making it quite petite!

Leaves and Stems

Its leaves are oval-shaped and grow opposite each other on the stem. Each leaf is usually less than 2 centimeters long. Each flower grows on its own very thin, straight stalk, called a pedicel. These stalks can be several centimeters tall, holding the flower up high.

The Flower's Beauty

The base of the flower is shaped like a tube. It's covered by a reddish, ribbed cup made of sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the bud. This cup has tiny pointed tips. The flower itself is about a centimeter long. It has a wide opening with two main parts: an upper lip and a lower lip.

The flowers are usually pink. The upper lip of the flower is often a darker pink than the lower lip. Inside the flower's opening, you can often see bright yellow stripes or streaks. These markings might help guide pollinators, like bees, to the flower's nectar.

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Little purple monkeyflower Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.