Monardella palmeri
Palmer's monardella
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Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Monardella palmeri (Palmer's monardella) is a native California subshrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by decumbent habit on serpentine and slender red-purple flowers.
Palmer's monardella is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in the northern Santa Lucia Range in chaparral and forest on serpentine at elevations of 200 to 800 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces red-purple flowers in compact clusters 25 to 35 millimeters wide with distinctive purple-tinged bracts. Growing as a tufted subshrub with decumbent stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it spreads through underground rhizomes. Its leathery leaves are lanceolate, 10 to 20 millimeters long, and range from entire to weakly serrate. The flower calyces are stiff-hairy with slender red-purple lobes, creating a distinctive appearance in its serpentine habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; decumbent habit on serpentine and slender red-purple flowers are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, forest, on serpentine
Elevation: 200-800 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Monterey
Bloom period
Monardella palmeri blooms Jun-Aug.
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 palmeri native to California?
Yes. Monardella palmeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella palmeri bloom?
Monardella palmeri blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Monardella palmeri grow?
Monardella palmeri occurs in San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Monterey, at elevations of 200-800 m.
What plant family does Monardella palmeri belong to?
Monardella palmeri is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella palmeri rare or endangered?
Monardella palmeri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.