 Formerly included in the family Scrophulariaceae, the genus is now included in Plantaginaceae.The two species are both notable annuals flowering in the spring; the ghostflower "M. confertiflora" features large pale flowers with a pattern of purple spots, while the lesser mohavea "M. breviflora" has small yellow flowers.The genus name is derived from the Mojave River, where specimens were first collected by John C. Fremont.