Monardella hypoleuca subsp. intermedia
intermediate monardella
(c) George Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by George Williams · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Monardella hypoleuca subsp. intermedia (intermediate monardella) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by distinctive arched leaf margins.
Intermediate monardella is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in the northwestern Peninsular Ranges in Orange, western Riverside, and northern San Diego counties, growing in chaparral, oak woodland, and occasionally conifer forest at elevations of 200 to 1,250 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces white to lavender flowers in compact clusters 20 to 35 millimeters wide with obtuse lobes. Growing with matted, rhizomatous stems 10 to 55 centimeters tall that are strongly sweet-scented and sparsely short-hairy, it forms a low, spreading habit. Its leaves are lance-linear to lanceolate, 20 to 50 millimeters long and 3 to 9 millimeters wide, with slightly arched margins and a tomentose underside. The plant's unique sweet fragrance and distinctive leaf arrangement make it a notable component of its dry, rocky habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive arched leaf margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, oak woodland, occasionally conifer forest, dry slopes
Elevation: 200-1250 m
Bloom period
Monardella hypoleuca subsp. intermedia blooms Jun-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 hypoleuca subsp. intermedia native to California?
Yes. Monardella hypoleuca subsp. intermedia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella hypoleuca subsp. intermedia bloom?
Monardella hypoleuca subsp. intermedia blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Monardella hypoleuca subsp. intermedia belong to?
Monardella hypoleuca subsp. intermedia is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella hypoleuca subsp. intermedia rare or endangered?
Monardella hypoleuca subsp. intermedia carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2?.
What habitat does Monardella hypoleuca subsp. intermedia grow in?
Monardella hypoleuca subsp. intermedia grows in Chaparral, oak woodland, occasionally conifer forest, dry slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.