Monardella saxicola
Rock monardella
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Monardella saxicola (Rock monardella) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by strongly contrasting leaf surfaces (glabrous above, canescent below).
Rock monardella is a California native shrub found in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains in montane chaparral and conifer forest at elevations of 425 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces purple to lavender flowers in dense clusters approximately 20 to 30 millimeters wide. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall that are short-appressed-hairy and grayish to light green, it forms a compact subshrub. Its leaves are 20 to 40 millimeters long and 5 to 12 millimeters wide, smooth-edged and appearing grayish with coarse spreading hairs on the lower surface. The flower's slender calyx and exserted stamens create a distinctive appearance characteristic of this rocky mountain species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; strongly contrasting leaf surfaces (glabrous above, canescent below)
Habitat and range
Habitat: Montane chaparral, conifer forest
Elevation: 425-1800 m
Bloom period
Monardella saxicola blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 saxicola native to California?
Yes. Monardella saxicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella saxicola bloom?
Monardella saxicola blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Monardella saxicola belong to?
Monardella saxicola is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella saxicola rare or endangered?
Monardella saxicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Monardella saxicola grow in?
Monardella saxicola grows in Montane chaparral, conifer forest.
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.