Little redstem monkeyflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little redstem monkeyflower |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Erythranthe
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| Species: |
rubella
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The Erythranthe rubella is a tiny and interesting plant often called the little redstem monkeyflower. It's a type of monkeyflower, which are known for their colorful, often spotted flowers that sometimes look a bit like a monkey's face! This plant used to be known by a different name, Mimulus rubellus.
Where Does It Grow?
The little redstem monkeyflower is originally from western North America. You can find it growing naturally in the southwestern United States. Its range stretches all the way up to Wyoming and Texas. It also grows south into Baja California in Mexico.
What Does It Look Like?
The little redstem monkeyflower is an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies all within one year. It can grow to be quite small, from about 2 to 32 centimeters tall. That's roughly the size of a small ruler to a large ruler!
Its stem is usually very thin and often has a reddish color, which is how it gets part of its common name, "redstem." The leaves grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. They are oval-shaped and can be up to 3 centimeters long. The lower leaves have short stalks, called petioles, that connect them to the main stem. The plant usually has a light fuzz or hair on its leaves and stems. Its color can range from green to reddish.
Its Tiny Flowers
The flowers of the little redstem monkeyflower are quite small. Each flower is shaped like a tiny tube and is usually less than one centimeter long. The bottom part of the flower tube is held inside a narrow, ribbed cup. This cup is made of special leaf-like parts called sepals.
The flowers can be either yellow or pink. If you look closely, you'll often see small red or purple dots inside the opening of the flower. These dots might help guide insects to the flower for pollination.
