Description

What a funny name! A rhizomatous, upright perennial with asymmetrical, 2-lipped, blue-purple flowers that people say look like the face of a monkey, thus the common name. (The flower is very pretty, and I personally do not see the resemblance to a monkey!) Square stems and sharply toothed leaves. Larval host of common buckeye and Baltimore checkerspot butterflies. Prefers part shade. Naturalizes in optimum growing conditions by both self-seeding and creeping rhizomes. Height: 1-3 ft. Spread: 0.75-1 ft. Family: Phrymaceae Bloom time: June to September Sun: full sun to part shade Water: medium to wet n Deer and rabbit resistant photo credit: Matt Levin