Monardella follettii
Follett's monardella
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Monardella follettii (Follett's monardella) is a native California subshrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by distinctive long stalked glands diagnostic.
Follett's monardella is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Plumas County, occurring in forest, open rocky slopes, and serpentine areas at elevations of 700 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces distinctive pink flowers in compact clusters 12 to 20 millimeters wide. Growing with erect stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall, these stems are purple or green and have distinctive internodes 10 to 75 millimeters long. Its lanceolate to elliptic leaves are 15 to 45 millimeters long, occasionally purple-tinged, and feature occasional unicellular hairs. The plant's flower clusters have leathery, glandular bracts with spreading stalked hairs, adding to its distinctive botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; distinctive long stalked glands diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Forest, open, rocky slopes, serpentine, roadcuts
Elevation: 700-2000 m
Bloom period
Monardella follettii blooms Jun-Sep.
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 follettii native to California?
Yes. Monardella follettii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella follettii bloom?
Monardella follettii blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Monardella follettii belong to?
Monardella follettii is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella follettii rare or endangered?
Monardella follettii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Monardella follettii grow in?
Monardella follettii grows in Forest, open, rocky slopes, serpentine, roadcuts.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Monardella linoides — Flax like monardella
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.