Acanthomintha ilicifolia

San diego thornmint, San Diego thorn-mint, San Diego thorn-mint

Family: Lamiaceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened

San diego thornmint is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern Southern California and southwestern Peninsular Ranges in southwestern San Diego County, inhabiting vernal pools, clay depressions on mesas, chaparral slopes, and coastal-sage scrub at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white flowers with occasionally rose-tinged lobes, growing to approximately 12 millimeters long in distinctive clusters with marginal spines. Growing with slender stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, the plant has minimal to short hairs and a compact growth habit. Its leaves are small, approximately 5 to 15 millimeters long, rounded with serrated edges that give the plant a delicate yet spiny appearance. The flower's upper lip is notably smaller than the lower lip, with sterile upper stamens and a distinctive hooded shape that sets it apart from other annual herbs in its habitat.

Habitat: Vernal pools, clay depressions on mesas, chaparral slopes, coastal-sage scrub

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: < 1000 m

Bioregions: s SCo, sw PR (sw San Diego Co.)

California counties: San Diego, San Mateo, Fresno

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.