Monardella undulata subsp. crispa
Crisp monardella, Crisp Monardella
Photo: parent species Monardella undulata · (c) Nicole, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Monardella undulata subsp. crispa (Crisp monardella) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by dense white tomentose indument on active dunes.
Crisp monardella is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in southern Central Coast regions of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties in active coastal dunes at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from April to November, this plant produces rose-purple flowers in dense terminal clusters 15 to 30 millimeters wide, with soft, straw-colored or purple bracts. Growing as a tufted or mounded subshrub up to 2.5 meters wide, it has densely white-tomentose stems with wavy hairs that are 10 to 50 centimeters long. Its fleshy, wavy-edged leaves are oblanceolate to obovate, 10 to 40 millimeters long, appearing glaucous and sparsely to densely covered in white tomentose hairs. The flower clusters are generally subtended by leaves, creating a distinctive, undulating appearance in coastal dune habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; dense white tomentose indument on active dunes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Active dunes
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Monardella undulata subsp. crispa blooms Apr-Nov.
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 undulata subsp. crispa native to California?
Yes. Monardella undulata subsp. crispa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella undulata subsp. crispa bloom?
Monardella undulata subsp. crispa blooms Apr-Nov.
Where in California does Monardella undulata subsp. crispa grow?
Monardella undulata subsp. crispa occurs in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Monardella undulata subsp. crispa belong to?
Monardella undulata subsp. crispa is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella undulata subsp. crispa rare or endangered?
Monardella undulata subsp. crispa 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.