Monkeyflowers (the genus Mimulus) are favorites of botanists, amateur naturalists, and native gardeners alike. They include annuals, perennials and sub-shrubs, many of which are very showy and beautiful. California is the center of Mimulus biodiversity in the world, since more than 90 of the 150 worldwide species occur here. Members of the genus exhibit adaptations, endemism and distributions that reflect the most interesting themes of California botany, such as fire-following, serpentine and other geological endemism, vernal pools, pollination, hybridization and large within-species variability.

Steve Schoenig is currently the CNPS Rare Plant Treasure Hunt Botanist. He has a 30 year long interest in native California plants with a special focus on the monkeyflower genus Mimulus and endemic plants of the three California deserts.