any of various plants belonging to the genus Mimulus, of the figwort family, as M. cardinalis(scarlet monkey flower) having spotted flowers that resemble a face.
Origin
1780-90
Examples from the web for monkey flower
Gardens of monkey flower and cave primrose take tenuous hold in aired-out alcoves wet from seeps.
Nature enthusiasts will enjoy wildflowers such as yellow bush lupine, paintbrush and sticky monkey flower.
British Dictionary definitions for monkey flower
monkey flower
noun
1.
any of various scrophulariaceous plants of the genus Mimulus, cultivated for their yellow or red flowers See also musk (sense 3)
Encyclopedia Article for monkey flower
any of the herbaceous or, rarely, shrubby plants of the genus Mimulus (family Phrymaceae, order Lamiales). The approximately 100 species are distributed worldwide but are particularly common in western North America.
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