Monardella villosa subsp. obispoensis
(c) Alexander Wentworth, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Monardella villosa subsp. obispoensis is a native California subshrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by tufted growth, single flower clusters, white-woolly leaf undersides.
San Luis Obispo monardella is a California native shrub found in southern Coast Ranges and southern Central Coast bioregions in chaparral and oak woodland at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white to lavender flowers in compact clusters 15 to 25 millimeters wide. Growing with ascending to erect stems 15 to 30 centimeters tall, the plant forms dense tufted or matted clusters with stems covered in both simple and branched hairs. Its narrow ovate leaves are 15 to 25 millimeters long, green on top and white-tomentose underneath, often appearing woolly and soft to the touch. The flower clusters emerge from unmodified leaves, creating a delicate and textural appearance in its native habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; tufted growth, single flower clusters, white-woolly leaf undersides
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, oak woodland
Elevation: < 1500 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Mateo
Bloom period
Monardella villosa subsp. obispoensis blooms May-Aug.
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 villosa subsp. obispoensis native to California?
Yes. Monardella villosa subsp. obispoensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella villosa subsp. obispoensis bloom?
Monardella villosa subsp. obispoensis blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Monardella villosa subsp. obispoensis grow?
Monardella villosa subsp. obispoensis occurs in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Mateo, at elevations of < 1500 m.
What plant family does Monardella villosa subsp. obispoensis belong to?
Monardella villosa subsp. obispoensis is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
What habitat does Monardella villosa subsp. obispoensis grow in?
Monardella villosa subsp. obispoensis grows in Chaparral, oak woodland.
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.