Calyx prismatic, 5-angled, 5-toothed, the upper tooth largest. Corolla tubular; upper lip erect or reflexed-spreading, 2-lobed; the lower spreading, 3-lobed. Stamens 4. Stigma 2-lobed, the lobes ovate. Seeds numerous.—Herbs, with opposite leaves, and mostly handsome flowers on solitary axillary and bractless peduncles. (Diminutive of mimus, a buffoon, from the grinning corolla.)
[*] Erect from a perennial root, glabrous; leaves feather-veined; corolla violet-purple.
1. M. ríngens, L. Stem square (1–2° high); leaves oblong or lanceolate, pointed, clasping by a heart-shaped base, serrate; peduncles longer than the flower; calyx-teeth taper-pointed, nearly equal; corolla personate.—Wet places, N. Eng. to Minn., and southward; common. July–Sept.—Flower 1–1½´ long, rarely white.
2. M. alàtus, Ait. Stem somewhat winged at the angles; leaves oblong-ovate, tapering into a petiole; peduncles shorter than the calyx, which has very short abruptly pointed teeth; otherwise like the last.—Wet places, western N. Eng. to Ill., south to N. C. and Tex.
[*][*] Leaves several-nerved and veiny, dentate, the upper sessile and clasping; calyx oblique, the upper tooth longest; corolla yellow, the lower lip bearded.
3. M. Jamèsii, Torr. Diffusely spreading, smooth or smoothish; stems creeping at base; stem-leaves roundish or kidney-shaped, nearly sessile, equalling the peduncles; calyx ovate, inflated in fruit; throat of corolla broad and open.—In water or wet places, usually in springs, N. Mich. and Minn. to Ill., Kan., and westward.
M. lùteus, L. Erect or with later branches spreading; leaves ovate to roundish or subcordate; corolla deep yellow, with brown-purple dots or blotches, often large.—Wet meadows, Norfolk, Ct. (Adv. from Calif.)
9. CONÒBEA, Aublet.
Calyx 5-parted, equal. Upper lip of corolla 3-lobed, the lower 3-parted. Stamens 4, fertile; anthers approximate. Stigma 2-lobed, the lobes wedge-form. Seeds numerous.—Low branching herbs, with opposite leaves, and small solitary flowers on axillary peduncles. (Name unexplained.)
1. C. multífida, Benth. Annual, diffusely spreading, much branched, minutely pubescent; leaves petioled, pinnately parted, divisions linear-wedge-shaped; peduncles naked; corolla (greenish-white) scarcely longer than the calyx.—Along streams and shores, Ohio to Ill., Ark., and Tex.; also adv. below Philadelphia. July–Sept.