The wildflower genus Mimulus (monkeyflowers) has been widely recognized as a classic ecological and evolutionary model system in studying local adaptation, speciation, plant-pollinator interactions, and species range limits. What is less known, however, is that this system also holds great promise for detailed molecular dissections of the genetic bases and developmental mechanisms of pattern formation, phenotypic diversification, and the origin of novel phenotypes. In this talk I will discuss one of our ongoing projects on the developmental genetics of corolla tube formation in slight detail and briefly mention several other projects (e.g., regulation of carotenoid pigmentation, developmental mechanisms of periodic pattern formation, genetic basis and physiological mechanisms of thermal tolerance, and the origin of phenotypic novelty), to demonstrate the utility and versatility of this wonderful study system.