About Diplacus mephiticus (Greene) G.L.Nesom
This species was previously classified as Mimulus nanus var. mephiticus. It is a small summer annual herb, growing up to 15 centimeters tall, and it is usually much smaller, particularly when growing at high elevations. Its leaves are arranged oppositely along the stem, are linear or lance-shaped, and reach up to 3 centimeters in length. When crushed, the leaves release an unpleasant scent, which is the feature that gave the plant its scientific name. The plant produces trumpet-shaped flowers that can grow up to 2 centimeters long. Each flower has an upper lip divided into two lobes, and a lower lip divided into three lobes. Flower color is either magenta or yellow, and some populations occasionally have individual plants that produce both colors. The lower lip of the flower is marked with purplish lines and spots. This species is native to the Sierra Nevada and western Great Basin regions of California and Nevada.
