Monardella robisonii
Robison's monardella
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Monardella robisonii (Robison's monardella) is a native California subshrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by multiple flower clusters and distinctive ash-gray pubescence.
Robison's monardella is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in southern Desert Mountains in desert scrub and pinyon/juniper woodland among granite boulders at elevations of 950 to 1,350 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces pale rose to pale blue flowers in compact clusters 10 to 25 millimeters wide with distinctive pink-tinged bracts. Growing with multi-branched erect stems 15 to 50 centimeters tall that appear grayish and have long spreading and short erect hairs, it develops a complex branching structure. Its narrow ash-gray leaves are lanceolate to narrowly ovate, measuring 8 to 20 millimeters long and 2 to 6 millimeters wide, with an entire margin. The flower clusters emerge from mid-stem to branch tips, creating a delicate and intricate appearance characteristic of this desert-adapted monardella.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; multiple flower clusters and distinctive ash-gray pubescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland, among granite boulders
Elevation: 950-1350 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo
Bloom period
Monardella robisonii 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 robisonii native to California?
Yes. Monardella robisonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella robisonii bloom?
Monardella robisonii blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Monardella robisonii grow?
Monardella robisonii occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, at elevations of 950-1350 m.
What plant family does Monardella robisonii belong to?
Monardella robisonii is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella robisonii rare or endangered?
Monardella robisonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Monardella saxicola — Rock monardella
- Monardella sheltonii — Coyote mint
- Monardella sinuata — Curly leaved monardella
- Monardella sinuata ssp. gerryi — Gerry's curly- leaved monardella
- Monardella sinuata subsp. nigrescens — northern curly- leaved monardella
- Monardella sinuata subsp. sinuata — southern curly- leaved monardella
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.