Monardella stebbinsii
Stebbins' monardella, Stebbins' Monardella
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Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Monardella stebbinsii (Stebbins' monardella) is a native California subshrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by dense felt-like pubescence with purple blotching on serpentine.
Stebbins' monardella is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in rocky serpentine slopes at elevations of 800 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces pink flowers in dense clusters 8 to 20 millimeters wide with distinctive purple-tinged bracts. Growing as a low, matted subshrub less than 1 meter in diameter with dense felt-like hairs, it develops stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall. Its thick, narrowly ovate leaves are ash to dark gray with purple blotches, measuring 12 to 22 millimeters long and 5 to 12 millimeters wide. The plant's delicate pink flowers emerge from compact clusters with slender-stalked glandular bracts, creating a distinctive appearance on serpentine landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; dense felt-like pubescence with purple blotching on serpentine
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky serpentine slopes
Elevation: 800-1100 m
California counties: Plumas, Calaveras
Bloom period
Monardella stebbinsii blooms Jul-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 stebbinsii native to California?
Yes. Monardella stebbinsii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella stebbinsii bloom?
Monardella stebbinsii blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Monardella stebbinsii grow?
Monardella stebbinsii occurs in Plumas, Calaveras, at elevations of 800-1100 m.
What plant family does Monardella stebbinsii belong to?
Monardella stebbinsii is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella stebbinsii rare or endangered?
Monardella stebbinsii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Monardella stoneana — Jennifer's monardella
- Monardella undulata — Curly leaved monardella
- Monardella undulata subsp. arguelloensis — Point Arguello monardella
- Monardella undulata subsp. crispa — Crisp monardella
- Monardella undulata subsp. undulata — San luis obispo monardella
- Monardella venosa — Veiny 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.