Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata

Heart-leaved thornmint, Heart-Leaved Thornmint, heart-leaved thorn-mint

Acanthomintha obovata — parent species of Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata

Photo: parent species Acanthomintha obovata · (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence

Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 4.2

Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata (Heart-leaved thornmint) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by (parent A. obovata); differentiated by distinctive heart-shaped clasping bracts.

Heart-leaved thornmint is a native annual herb found in southern coastal ranges and western Transverse Ranges on grassy slopes, in oak woodlands, and chaparral at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces small white to lavender flowers with distinctive cordate-clasping bracts that are wider than long. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, the plant has sparse, short hairs and a delicate, spreading growth habit. Its leaves are typically ovate to heart-shaped, with fine serrations and a soft texture that blends into the surrounding grassland vegetation. The flower clusters feature anthers densely covered in woolly hairs, giving the plant a distinctive, soft-textured appearance.

Identification and appearance

Key characters: 1 sympatric species (parent A. obovata); differentiated by distinctive heart-shaped clasping bracts

Habitat and range

Habitat: Grassy slopes, oak woodland, chaparral, vertic clay

Elevation: < 1600 m

California counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Monterey

Bloom period

Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata blooms Apr-Jul.

Conservation status

CNPS 4.2

How to tell it apart

vs Lycopus: Acanthomintha has spiny flower bracts and grows in dry grasslands, while Lycopus lacks spines and grows in wetlands.; vs Salvia: Acanthomintha has prominent spiny-margined bracts beneath flowers, while Salvia has plain bracts.; vs Monarda: Acanthomintha is annual with spiny bracts, while Monarda is perennial with smooth bracts.; vs Hedeoma: Acanthomintha is annual with spiny bracts, while Hedeoma is perennial with smooth bracts and swollen calyx.; vs Pogogyne: Acanthomintha has spiny-margined bracts, while Pogogyne has smooth bracts and densely head-like flower clusters.

Frequently asked questions

Is Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata native to California?

Yes. Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata is native to California (recorded as native).

When does Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata bloom?

Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata blooms Apr-Jul.

Where in California does Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata grow?

Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata occurs in Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, at elevations of < 1600 m.

What plant family does Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata belong to?

Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Acanthomintha.

Is Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata rare or endangered?

Acanthomintha obovata subsp. cordata carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Acanthomintha species · All Lamiaceae

Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB

Last updated 2026-10-07

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