Monardella breweri subsp. breweri
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Monardella breweri subsp. breweri is a native California annual in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by distinctive large bracts and flower heads.
Brewer's monardella is a California native annual found in the San Francisco Bay, south-central coastal, and western Transverse Ranges in oak woodland, chaparral, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces rose-colored flowers in compact clusters 20 to 30 millimeters wide, with distinctive widely ovate purple-tinged bracts that have stiff-pointed tips. Growing with gray-hairy stems 15 to 65 centimeters tall, it has an upright and somewhat delicate appearance. Its leaves are narrowly ovate, measuring 15 to 45 millimeters long, positioned along the slender stems. The flower's calyx is intricately veined with 12 to 16 prominent veins, supporting a rose-colored corolla 12 to 15 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; distinctive large bracts and flower heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Oak woodland, chaparral, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: < 1500 m
Bloom period
Monardella breweri subsp. breweri blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Mentha: Mint has multiple flower clusters spaced along the stem; Monardella has one terminal pom-pom head per stem.; vs Salvia: Sage has flowers spaced along an elongated spike; Monardella's flowers are densely packed into a rounded head.; vs Veronica: Speedwell has flowers in a loose spike and isn't aromatic; Monardella's flowers form a dense head with mint scent.; vs Phacelia: Phacelia's flower clusters uncurl like a fern; Monardella's form a compact, stationary head with a bract collar.; vs Valeriana: Valerian has tiny flowers in branched clusters; Monardella has larger mint flowers in a single terminal head.
Frequently asked questions
Is Monardella breweri subsp. breweri native to California?
Yes. Monardella breweri subsp. breweri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella breweri subsp. breweri bloom?
Monardella breweri subsp. breweri blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Monardella breweri subsp. breweri belong to?
Monardella breweri subsp. breweri is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
What habitat does Monardella breweri subsp. breweri grow in?
Monardella breweri subsp. breweri grows in Oak woodland, chaparral, pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Monardella breweri subsp. glandulifera — Brown's Flat monardella
- Monardella breweri subsp. lanceolata — Mustang mint
- Monardella breweri subsp. microcephala — small-headed monardella
- Monardella candicans — Sierra monardella
- Monardella douglasii — Douglas' monardella
- Monardella eremicola — Clark mountain monardella
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.