Monardella undulata
Curly leaved monardella
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Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Monardella undulata (Curly leaved monardella) is a native California subshrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by shrubby perennial habit distinguishes from annual sinuata.
Curly leaved monardella is a California native shrub found in coastal and montane habitats, strongly scented and growing up to 2.5 meters in diameter. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces lavender to rose-purple flowers with straw-colored bracts in dense terminal clusters 10 to 30 millimeters wide. Growing with erect or tufted stems 10 to 100 centimeters tall that are sparsely hairy to densely white-tomentose, it forms mounded or branching clusters. Its distinctive leaves are 10 to 40 millimeters long, linear to obovate, with wavy margins and a fleshy texture that appears green to glaucous. The plant's clusters of flowers are subtended by papery bracts that range from straw-colored to purple, giving it a distinctive and aromatic character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; shrubby perennial habit distinguishes from annual sinuata
Habitat and range
California counties: Marin, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Ventura, Sonoma, San Bernardino
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 undulata native to California?
Yes. Monardella undulata is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Monardella undulata grow?
Monardella undulata occurs in Marin, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Ventura, Sonoma and other counties.
What plant family does Monardella undulata belong to?
Monardella undulata is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.