Monardella sinuata subsp. sinuata
southern 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. sinuata (southern curly- leaved monardella) is a native California annual in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by erect sparsely branched habit and lack of dark bract coloration.
Southern curly-leaved monardella is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern Central Coast, southern Coast Ranges, and historically in Ventura County in sandy coastal strand, dune, sagebrush scrub, and coastal chaparral habitats at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces purple flowers in compact clusters 10 to 25 millimeters wide with distinctively wavy-edged leaves. Growing with erect, sparingly branched stems 8 to 65 centimeters tall in straw-colored to red-brown tones, it has a slender structure with minimal branching. Its leaves are linear to oblanceolate, 10 to 55 millimeters long and 4 to 10 millimeters wide, with margins that range from weakly to strongly undulating. The flower clusters feature elliptic to narrowly ovate bracts 7 to 16 millimeters long, sparsely covered in fine hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; erect sparsely branched habit and lack of dark bract coloration
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, coastal strand, dune and sagebrush scrub, coastal chaparral and oak woodland
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Marin, Monterey, Ventura
Bloom period
Monardella sinuata subsp. sinuata blooms Apr-Sep.
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. sinuata native to California?
Yes. Monardella sinuata subsp. sinuata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella sinuata subsp. sinuata bloom?
Monardella sinuata subsp. sinuata blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Monardella sinuata subsp. sinuata grow?
Monardella sinuata subsp. sinuata occurs in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Marin, Monterey, Ventura, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Monardella sinuata subsp. sinuata belong to?
Monardella sinuata subsp. sinuata is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella sinuata subsp. sinuata rare or endangered?
Monardella sinuata subsp. sinuata 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.