Monardella mojavensis
Granite Mountains monardella
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Monardella mojavensis (Granite Mountains monardella) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by multiple flower clusters per stem and eastern Mojave location.
Granite Mountains monardella is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in eastern desert mountains including Old Woman, Granite, Old Dad, and Providence Mountains in mixed desert scrub, desert riparian scrub, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 800 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white flowers with purple markings, appearing lavender, in compact clusters 10 to 20 millimeters wide. Growing with erect, many-branched stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall, these plants have a distinctive gray to silvery appearance with fine, dense puberulent covering. Its narrow elliptic leaves are 8 to 20 millimeters long, gray-green or silvery, and strongly scented when crushed. The plant's flower clusters feature distinctive bracts 10 to 11 millimeters long, with outer bracts green and leaf-like, becoming pale and papery toward the center.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; multiple flower clusters per stem and eastern Mojave location are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Mixed desert and desert riparian scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland, coarse, rocky slopes, including granitics, occasionally limestone
Elevation: 800-1500 m
Outside California: southwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Monardella mojavensis blooms May-Aug.
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 mojavensis native to California?
Yes. Monardella mojavensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella mojavensis bloom?
Monardella mojavensis blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Monardella mojavensis belong to?
Monardella mojavensis is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella mojavensis rare or endangered?
Monardella mojavensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Monardella mojavensis grow in?
Monardella mojavensis grows in Mixed desert and desert riparian scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland, coarse, rocky slopes, including granitics, occasionally limestone.
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.