Pogogyne clareana
Santa lucia mint, Santa Lucia Mint
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Pogogyne clareana (Santa lucia mint) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by erect slender habit and funnel-shaped flowers.
Santa lucia mint is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the central coastal region of the Santa Lucia Mountains near Fort Hunter Liggett in Monterey County, inhabiting creek beds, swales, and vernal pools at elevations of 300 to 400 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces delicate white to lavender flowers in small clusters less than 10 millimeters wide with funnel-shaped corollas 10 to 15 millimeters long. Growing with erect, slender stems 15 to 25 centimeters tall that are few-branched and sparsely hairy, it develops a compact and delicate structure. Its leaves have sparse, short hairs with bracts featuring obtuse to rounded tips, creating a subtle and intricate botanical profile. The small fruits are approximately 1.5 millimeters long, complementing the mint's diminutive and elegant form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by erect slender habit and funnel-shaped flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Creek beds, swales, vernal pools
Elevation: 300-400 m
California counties: Monterey
Bloom period
Pogogyne clareana blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 clareana native to California?
Yes. Pogogyne clareana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pogogyne clareana bloom?
Pogogyne clareana blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Pogogyne clareana grow?
Pogogyne clareana occurs in Monterey, at elevations of 300-400 m.
What plant family does Pogogyne clareana belong to?
Pogogyne clareana is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Pogogyne.
Is Pogogyne clareana rare or endangered?
Pogogyne clareana 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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.