Monardella linoides subsp. erecta
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Monardella linoides subsp. erecta is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by high elevation conifer habitat distinctive.
Monardella linoides subsp. erecta is a California native shrub found in northern and eastern San Bernardino Mountains in conifer woodland and rocky soils at elevations of 1,800 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers with purple markings, appearing lavender, in compact clusters 7 to 18 millimeters wide. Growing with few stems from the base, reaching 15 to 30 centimeters tall, it develops a distinctively silvery appearance with fine, dense pubescence. Its narrow leaves are decurrent or sessile, approximately 12 to 19 millimeters long and 2 to 4 millimeters wide, with a silvery texture and elliptic shape tapering to an obtuse or acute tip. The flowers are supported by bracts 6 to 11 millimeters long, nearly equal in length to the puberulent and glandular-puberulent calyx.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; high elevation conifer habitat distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Conifer woodland, forest, rocky soils, outcrops
Elevation: 1800-2600 m
Bloom period
Monardella linoides subsp. erecta blooms Jun-Aug.
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 linoides subsp. erecta native to California?
Yes. Monardella linoides subsp. erecta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella linoides subsp. erecta bloom?
Monardella linoides subsp. erecta blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Monardella linoides subsp. erecta belong to?
Monardella linoides subsp. erecta is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
What habitat does Monardella linoides subsp. erecta grow in?
Monardella linoides subsp. erecta grows in Conifer woodland, forest, rocky soils, outcrops.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.