Monardella douglasii
Douglas' monardella
(c) Arvel Hernandez, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Arvel Hernandez · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Monardella douglasii (Douglas' monardella) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by distinctive deep purple flowers and translucent bracts.
Douglas' monardella is a California native annual herb found in northern coastal ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, and southern coastal ranges in grasslands, woodland openings, and chaparral, often on serpentine or vertic clay soils at elevations of 50 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from May to November, this plant produces deep purple flowers in compact clusters 10 to 15 millimeters wide, with delicate narrowly ovate bracts. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it may be branched or unbranched with an upright, open habit. Its leaves are 15 to 50 millimeters long, linear-oblong to lance-shaped, and covered in fine hairs. The flowers feature hairy deep purple corollas with stamens that extend beyond the petals, creating a distinctive appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; distinctive deep purple flowers and translucent bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, openings in woodland and chaparral, serpentine, occasionally vertic clay
Elevation: 50-1100 m
California counties: Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, Alameda, Fresno, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Napa, Butte
Bloom period
Monardella douglasii blooms May-Nov.
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 douglasii native to California?
Yes. Monardella douglasii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella douglasii bloom?
Monardella douglasii blooms May-Nov.
Where in California does Monardella douglasii grow?
Monardella douglasii occurs in Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, Alameda, Fresno, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Napa and other counties, at elevations of 50-1100 m.
What plant family does Monardella douglasii belong to?
Monardella douglasii is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
What habitat does Monardella douglasii grow in?
Monardella douglasii grows in Grassland, openings in woodland and chaparral, serpentine, occasionally vertic clay.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.