Mimulus laciniatus (Cutleaf Monkeyflower)
Credit: Benjamin Blackman
about the species
Mimulus laciniatus, the cutleaf monkeyflower, is a predominantly self-fertilizing species endemic to the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and it is distinguished from close relatively by its highly lobed leaf shape. Populations of this species have adapted to seep-fed outcrops of various rock types, which pose increased challenges because these thin soils dry out quickly and are poorer at buffering daily temperature extremes.
why species was selected
Mimulus laciniatus is on the California Native Plant Society’s watch list of endemic plants of limited distribution. Even within its limited latitudinal range, populations of this species have adapted to a wide range of climate conditions from chaparral habitats in the foothills to sub-alpine areas at >8000 ft above sea level. Thus, studying its genomic diversity can inform how populations have adapted to diverse environments.
