Lepechinia rossii
Ross' pitcher sage
(c) Martin Purdy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Lepechinia rossii (Ross' pitcher sage) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by bent inflorescence axis and bell-shaped calyx.
Ross' pitcher sage is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the western Transverse Ranges, specifically in the Liebre and Topatopa Mountains, within chaparral habitats at elevations of 470 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces flowers with muted coloration in axillary clusters with distinctively bent inflorescence axes. Growing with scattered long, branched hairs and dense glandular stems, it develops an erect form with variable height. Its leaves are broadly ovate to deltate-ovate, 3 to 13 centimeters long, with irregularly serrated edges and bases ranging from truncate to heart-shaped. The plant produces glabrous fruits with bell-shaped calyces featuring lobes shorter than the tube and occasional marginal teeth.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are bent inflorescence axis and bell-shaped calyx
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral
Elevation: 470-1200 m
Bloom period
Lepechinia rossii blooms May-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Salvia: Salvia's calyx stays tubular in fruit; Lepechinia's calyx inflates into a balloon around the developing seeds.; vs Stachys: Hedge-nettle has much smaller flowers; Lepechinia's flowers are thumb-sized and dramatically larger.; vs Eriodictyon: Yerba santa has fuzzy leaves and five-petaled flowers; Lepechinia has mint-shaped two-lipped flowers.; vs Cistus: Rockrose has five separate petals like a rose; Lepechinia has tubular two-lipped mint flowers.; vs Abelia: Abelia has flowers with distinct petals spreading out; Lepechinia has a tubular mint flower with lips.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lepechinia rossii native to California?
Yes. Lepechinia rossii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lepechinia rossii bloom?
Lepechinia rossii blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Lepechinia rossii belong to?
Lepechinia rossii is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Lepechinia.
Is Lepechinia rossii rare or endangered?
Lepechinia rossii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Lepechinia rossii grow in?
Lepechinia rossii grows in Chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lepechinia sp. — Pitcher sage
- Lepechinia calycina — White pitcher sage
- Lepechinia cardiophylla — Heart-leaved pitcher sage
- Lepechinia fragrans — Fragrant pitcher sage
- Lepechinia ganderi — Gander's pitcher sage
- Lycopus americanus — American water horehound
- Lycopus asper — Rough bugleweed
- Lycopus sp. — Bugleweed
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.