Monardella viminea
Willowy monardella
(c) James C. Davis, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Monardella viminea (Willowy monardella) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by very narrow leaves and glaucous appearance diagnostic.
Willowy monardella is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southern San Diego County in rocky washes and alluvial benches at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to rose-colored flowers in compact clusters 20 to 30 millimeters wide with conspicuously gland-dotted bracts. Growing as a dense, upright subshrub 25 to 50 centimeters tall with stems that appear glaucous-green and are densely short-hairy. Its narrow leaves are linear to lance-shaped, 20 to 40 millimeters long, with a distinctive glaucous appearance and fine pubescence. The plant forms tight, clustered groups with delicate white to rose-tinted flower clusters that stand out against its pale green foliage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; very narrow leaves and glaucous appearance diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky washes with cobbles, 2° alluvial benches
Elevation: < 400 m
California counties: San Diego, Orange, Riverside
Bloom period
Monardella viminea blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 viminea native to California?
Yes. Monardella viminea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monardella viminea bloom?
Monardella viminea blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Monardella viminea grow?
Monardella viminea occurs in San Diego, Orange, Riverside, at elevations of < 400 m.
What plant family does Monardella viminea belong to?
Monardella viminea is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Monardella.
Is Monardella viminea rare or endangered?
Monardella viminea carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Monardella viridis — Green monardella
- Monardella antonina ssp. antonina — San Antonio Hills Monardella
- Monardella antonina ssp. benitensis — San Benito Monardella
- Monardella australis — Southern monardella
- Monardella australis ssp. gabrielensis — San Gabriel Mountains monardella
- Monardella australis ssp. occidentalis — southwestern mountain monardella
- Nepeta cataria — Catnip
- Nepeta sp.
- Origanum ×majoricum — Italian oregano
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.