Monardella breweri subsp. lanceolata
Mustang mint, Mustang Mint
(c) Zack Abbey, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zack Abbey · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Monardella breweri subsp. lanceolata (Mustang mint) is a native California annual in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by most widespread subspecies with distinctive narrow leaves.
Mustang mint is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Ranges, southern Sierra Nevada, southern Coast Ranges, and Southwest in open, rocky sites within chaparral, oak woodland, and conifer forest at elevations up to 3,400 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces purple flowers in compact clusters 5 to 25 millimeters wide, with distinctive green or purple-tipped bracts. Growing with slender stems 9 to 65 centimeters tall that are purple and glandular-hairy toward the tips, it has an upright, delicate appearance. Its narrow leaves are lanceolate, 15 to 60 millimeters long and 4 to 12 millimeters wide, giving the plant a graceful, grass-like texture. The flowers feature exserted stamens and a purple corolla 12 to 15 millimeters long, creating an elegant and distinctive mint-like presentation.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species; most widespread subspecies with distinctive narrow leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky, occasionally disturbed sites; grassy openings in chaparral, oak woodland, conifer forest
Elevation: < 3400 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Tulare, San Luis Obispo, El Dorado, Mono, Orange, Nevada, Tehama, Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Madera, Santa Barbara, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yuba, Butte, Mariposa, Fresno, San Joaquin, Shasta, Plumas, Sierra, Inyo, Monterey, Placer
Outside California: Nevada, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Monardella breweri subsp. lanceolata blooms May-Oct.
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. lanceolata native to California?
Yes. Monardella breweri subsp. lanceolata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella breweri subsp. lanceolata bloom?
Monardella breweri subsp. lanceolata blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Monardella breweri subsp. lanceolata grow?
Monardella breweri subsp. lanceolata occurs in Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Tulare, San Luis Obispo and other counties, at elevations of < 3400 m.
What plant family does Monardella breweri subsp. lanceolata belong to?
Monardella breweri subsp. lanceolata is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
What habitat does Monardella breweri subsp. lanceolata grow in?
Monardella breweri subsp. lanceolata grows in Open, rocky, occasionally disturbed sites; grassy openings in chaparral, oak woodland, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.