Monardella macrantha
Hummingbird monardella
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Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Monardella macrantha (Hummingbird monardella) is a native California subshrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by red-orange hummingbird flowers are unique in genus.
Hummingbird monardella is a California native shrub found in rocky, mountainous habitats at elevations where its distinctive red-orange and yellow flowers attract pollinators. Flowering from late spring to summer, this plant produces vibrant red-orange tubular flowers with yellow highlights, typically 35 to 45 millimeters long, emerging from dense flower clusters 20 to 40 millimeters wide. Growing as a low, tufted subshrub with rhizomes, it spreads 5 to 30 centimeters tall with deep green, shiny leaves that are elliptic to triangular-ovate and have a leathery texture. Its leaves range from 5 to 30 millimeters long, appearing entire or with minute serrations along the edges, creating a compact and attractive form. The plant's unique flower structure features a bent, hairy calyx and a funnel-shaped corolla tube that extends prominently beyond the calyx, making it particularly attractive to hummingbirds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; red-orange hummingbird flowers are unique in genus
Habitat and range
California counties: San Diego, San Bernardino, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange
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 macrantha native to California?
Yes. Monardella macrantha is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Monardella macrantha grow?
Monardella macrantha occurs in San Diego, San Bernardino, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange.
What plant family does Monardella macrantha belong to?
Monardella macrantha is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
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.