Pogogyne abramsii
San diego mesa mint, San Diego Mesa Mint
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Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Pogogyne abramsii (San diego mesa mint) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by dense curved hairs and purple-tinged bracts.
San diego mesa mint is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern San Diego County in coastal terrace vernal pools at elevations of 100 to 200 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small bell-shaped flowers with sparse hairs in clusters 8 to 10 millimeters wide. Growing with spreading to erect stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall and approximately 0.5 to 0.8 millimeters thick at the base of the flower clusters, it has dense, long, and coarse curved hairs. Its flowers feature a white-hairy calyx with lobes 2 to 5 millimeters long and purple-tinged bracts with acuminate tips. The tiny fruit measures 1 to 1.5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by dense curved hairs and purple-tinged bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal terrace vernal pools
Elevation: 100-200 m
California counties: San Diego, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Pogogyne abramsii blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
How to tell it apart
vs Navarretia: Pogogyne has square stems and opposite leaves; Navarretia has round stems and alternate leaves.; vs Mentha: Pogogyne is annual in vernal pools; Mentha is perennial in permanently moist sites.; vs Verbena: Pogogyne has square mint stems; Verbena has four-sided but not square stems.; vs Prunella: Pogogyne is annual with bristly bracts; Prunella is perennial with smooth cylindrical spike.; vs Origanum: Pogogyne has narrow linear bracts; Origanum has broad pale overlapping bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pogogyne abramsii native to California?
Yes. Pogogyne abramsii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pogogyne abramsii bloom?
Pogogyne abramsii blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Pogogyne abramsii grow?
Pogogyne abramsii occurs in San Diego, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of 100-200 m.
What plant family does Pogogyne abramsii belong to?
Pogogyne abramsii is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Pogogyne.
Is Pogogyne abramsii rare or endangered?
Pogogyne abramsii 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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.