Hedeoma drummondii
Drummond's false pennyroyal
(c) Alex Abair, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alex Abair · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Hedeoma drummondii (Drummond's false pennyroyal) is a native California subshrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by clear height, leaf size, and flower morphology differences.
Drummond's false pennyroyal is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the eastern Desert Mountains, specifically the New York Mountains, in rocky, gravelly soils at elevations of 1,400 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces small flowers in clusters of 3 to 7, with delicate white to pale lavender corollas 7 to 9 millimeters long. Growing 15 to 45 centimeters tall with puberulent (softly hairy) stems that have a slender, upright habit, it develops a compact, branching form. Its leaves are small and narrow, measuring 5 to 11 millimeters long and 1 to 4 millimeters wide, with generally obtuse (blunt) tips that give the plant a fine, intricate texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; clear height, leaf size, and flower morphology differences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky, gravelly soils
Elevation: 1400-1700 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: to Montana, Nebraska, Mexico
Bloom period
Hedeoma drummondii blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Salvia: Hedeoma has flowers evenly spaced along stems, while Salvia has flowers in interrupted whorled spikes.; vs Lycopus: Hedeoma grows on rocky desert slopes, while Lycopus grows only in wetlands and marshes.; vs Monarda: Hedeoma has a swollen calyx tube, while Monarda has a radial calyx with equal lobes.; vs Acanthomintha: Hedeoma is perennial with smooth bracts, while Acanthomintha is annual with spiny-margined bracts.; vs Pogogyne: Hedeoma is perennial with evenly spaced flowers, while Pogogyne is annual with dense head-like clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hedeoma drummondii native to California?
Yes. Hedeoma drummondii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hedeoma drummondii bloom?
Hedeoma drummondii blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Hedeoma drummondii grow?
Hedeoma drummondii occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1400-1700 m.
What plant family does Hedeoma drummondii belong to?
Hedeoma drummondii is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Hedeoma.
Is Hedeoma drummondii rare or endangered?
Hedeoma drummondii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.