Hedeoma nana subsp. californica
California mock pennyroyal, California Mock Pennyroyal
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Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Hedeoma nana subsp. californica (California mock pennyroyal) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by clear morphological differences in size, leaf tips, and flower proportions.
California mock pennyroyal is a native perennial herb ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the Desert Mountains on rocky limestone outcrops at elevations of 900 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces small lavender to blue flowers less than one centimeter long. Growing with delicate puberulent stems 10 to 25 centimeters tall, it forms a compact, low-growing habit. Its small leaves are narrow, measuring 3 to 8.5 millimeters long with acute tips, arranged closely along the slender stems. The plant produces flowers in small clusters of 3 to 5, with each flower emerging on a short pedicel.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; clear morphological differences in size, leaf tips, and flower proportions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky outcrops, generally limestone
Elevation: 900-2100 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona, Mexico
Bloom period
Hedeoma nana subsp. californica blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 nana subsp. californica native to California?
Yes. Hedeoma nana subsp. californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hedeoma nana subsp. californica bloom?
Hedeoma nana subsp. californica blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Hedeoma nana subsp. californica grow?
Hedeoma nana subsp. californica occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, at elevations of 900-2100 m.
What plant family does Hedeoma nana subsp. californica belong to?
Hedeoma nana subsp. californica is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Hedeoma.
Is Hedeoma nana subsp. californica rare or endangered?
Hedeoma nana subsp. californica carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.