Monardella venosa
Veiny monardella
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Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Monardella venosa (Veiny monardella) is a native California annual in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by distinctive transparent bract venation.
Veiny monardella is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Foothills in Butte and Tuolumne counties, within grassland habitats at elevations of 50 to 400 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces striking purple flowers with hairy corollas in dense clusters approximately 20 to 30 millimeters wide. Growing 15 to 40 centimeters tall with a stout stem that may be branched or unbranched, it develops an upright, compact form. Its leaves are 15 to 50 millimeters long, linear-oblong to lance-shaped, and covered in fine hairs, with distinctive purple bracts featuring slender veins and transparent areas between them. The flower's purple corolla is adorned with exserted stamens, creating a visually intricate botanical display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive transparent bract venation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland
Elevation: 50-400 m
California counties: Butte, Tuolumne, San Bernardino
Bloom period
Monardella venosa blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 venosa native to California?
Yes. Monardella venosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella venosa bloom?
Monardella venosa blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Monardella venosa grow?
Monardella venosa occurs in Butte, Tuolumne, San Bernardino, at elevations of 50-400 m.
What plant family does Monardella venosa belong to?
Monardella venosa is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella venosa rare or endangered?
Monardella venosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.