The Monopsis genus consists of 16 species, all of which are indigenous to South Africa where they can be found from Namaqualand to the southern Cape, east to KwaZulu-Natal and north to Limpopo.

Monopsis simplex, synonymously known as Dobrowskya serratifolia, Lobelia simplex or Monopsis aspera and commonly known as Mat Wildviolet is a South African endemic 3 to 25cm tufted that blooms with purple lobelia style flowers in spring through summer. It grows well year round.