Monardella stoneana
Jennifer's monardella
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Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Monardella stoneana (Jennifer's monardella) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by streambed habitat and pale pink flowers.
Jennifer's monardella is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in southwestern San Diego County in rocky streambeds and banks of intermittent streams at elevations below 660 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces pale pink flowers occasionally tinged light blue, arranged in compact clusters 10 to 15 millimeters wide. Growing with several to many stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall, it forms a low, compact subshrub with a strongly pungent scent. Its lanceolate to narrowly ovate leaves measure 17 to 35 millimeters long, appearing green with purple tinges near the stem tips, and are nearly glabrous with sparse puberulent surfaces. The plant's distinctive aromatic nature and compact growth make it a unique inhabitant of southern California's intermittent stream environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; streambed habitat and pale pink flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky streambeds, banks of intermittent streams
Elevation: < 660 m
Outside California: northwestern Baja California
Bloom period
Monardella stoneana blooms May-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 stoneana native to California?
Yes. Monardella stoneana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella stoneana bloom?
Monardella stoneana blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Monardella stoneana belong to?
Monardella stoneana is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella stoneana rare or endangered?
Monardella stoneana carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Monardella stoneana grow in?
Monardella stoneana grows in Rocky streambeds, banks of intermittent streams.
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.