Monardella exilis
Desert monardella
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Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Monardella exilis (Desert monardella) is a native California subshrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by distinctive white flowers and desert habitat.
Desert monardella is a native annual herb found in southeastern Sierra Nevada, northern Transverse Ranges, and northwestern Mojave Desert in desert scrub, washes, and pinyon woodland at elevations of 600 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces white flowers with purple-tinged calyces and gland-tipped corolla lobes in compact clusters 10 to 20 millimeters wide. Growing with erect, branched stems 6 to 30 centimeters tall that are softly hairy, it has a delicate, open branching habit. Its conspicuously petioled leaves are lanceolate to narrowly ovate, 15 to 37 millimeters long and 3 to 8 millimeters wide, with distinctive green leaves sometimes showing a subtle purple tinge. The plant's white-tipped calyx lobes and slightly exserted stamens with purple anther sacs add to its subtle botanical charm.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; distinctive white flowers and desert habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert scrub, washes, pinyon woodland
Elevation: 600-2100 m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Tulare, Inyo
Bloom period
Monardella exilis blooms Apr-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 exilis native to California?
Yes. Monardella exilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella exilis bloom?
Monardella exilis blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Monardella exilis grow?
Monardella exilis occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Tulare, Inyo, at elevations of 600-2100 m.
What plant family does Monardella exilis belong to?
Monardella exilis is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella exilis rare or endangered?
Monardella exilis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Monardella follettii — Follett's monardella
- Monardella hypoleuca — Thickleaf monardella
- Monardella hypoleuca subsp. hypoleuca — white-veined monardella
- Monardella hypoleuca subsp. intermedia — intermediate monardella
- Monardella hypoleuca subsp. lanata — Felt-leaved monardella
- Monardella leucocephala — Merced monardella
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.