Monardella sinuata subsp. nigrescens
northern curly- leaved monardella
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Monardella sinuata subsp. nigrescens (northern curly- leaved monardella) is a native California annual in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by compact branched habit and dark-tipped bracts with black veins.
Northern curly-leaved monardella is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in northern central Coast Ranges including Monterey County and San Francisco Bay Area in coastal dunes and scrub openings at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces lavender to purple flowers in compact clusters 10 to 35 millimeters wide with distinctive dark-tipped bracts. Growing with stout dark red-brown stems 8 to 45 centimeters tall that are spreading-hairy on the uppermost sections, it forms a compact, highly branched structure. Its leaves are lanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate, 10 to 30 millimeters long with weakly wavy margins. The flower clusters feature dark-tipped, hairy bracts with conspicuously spreading hairs, especially along the veins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; compact branched habit and dark-tipped bracts with black veins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dunes, openings in coastal scrub
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Marin, San Francisco, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz
Bloom period
Monardella sinuata subsp. nigrescens blooms May-Jul.
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 sinuata subsp. nigrescens native to California?
Yes. Monardella sinuata subsp. nigrescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella sinuata subsp. nigrescens bloom?
Monardella sinuata subsp. nigrescens blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Monardella sinuata subsp. nigrescens grow?
Monardella sinuata subsp. nigrescens occurs in Marin, San Francisco, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Monardella sinuata subsp. nigrescens belong to?
Monardella sinuata subsp. nigrescens is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella sinuata subsp. nigrescens rare or endangered?
Monardella sinuata subsp. nigrescens 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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.