Monardella breweri subsp. glandulifera
Brown's Flat monardella
(c) Zack Abbey, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zack Abbey · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Monardella breweri subsp. glandulifera (Brown's Flat monardella) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by distinctive glandular stems diagnostic.
Brown's Flat monardella is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the southern Santa Lucia Mountains near Browns Flat vicinity in open, rocky sites and grassy openings within chaparral and woodland at elevations of 500 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces purple flowers in compact clusters 5 to 20 millimeters wide with distinctive acute, cross-veined bracts. Growing 9 to 30 centimeters tall with purple stems that are densely covered in stout, conical glandular hairs, it has a delicate and distinctive appearance. Its leaves are approximately lanceolate, measuring 15 to 40 millimeters long, and positioned along the glandular stems. The plant's flowers feature a purple corolla 12 to 14 millimeters long with a hairy calyx marked by prominent veins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; distinctive glandular stems diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky, occasionally disturbed sites; grassy openings in chaparral, woodland
Elevation: 500-2000 m
Bloom period
Monardella breweri subsp. glandulifera blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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. glandulifera native to California?
Yes. Monardella breweri subsp. glandulifera is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella breweri subsp. glandulifera bloom?
Monardella breweri subsp. glandulifera blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Monardella breweri subsp. glandulifera belong to?
Monardella breweri subsp. glandulifera is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella breweri subsp. glandulifera rare or endangered?
Monardella breweri subsp. glandulifera carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Monardella breweri subsp. glandulifera grow in?
Monardella breweri subsp. glandulifera grows in Open, rocky, occasionally disturbed sites; grassy openings in chaparral, woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.