Pogogyne nudiuscula
Otay mesa mint, Otay Mesa Mint
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Pogogyne nudiuscula (Otay mesa mint) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by glabrous habit and green bracts.
Otay mesa mint is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern Southern California Coast region in Otay Mesa, San Diego County, inhabiting coastal mesa vernal pools at elevations of 100 to 250 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces purple flowers 11 to 14 millimeters long in bell-shaped blossoms with sparse hairy petals. Growing with erect, stout stems 9 to 30 centimeters tall and approximately 0.8 to 1 millimeter wide at the base of its inflorescence, it develops dense clusters with green bracts that have acute tips. Its stems feature sparse, short, generally straight, bristle-like hairs with a compact growth habit. The fruit is approximately 1.5 millimeters in size, contributing to its delicate annual lifecycle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by glabrous habit and green bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal mesa vernal pools
Elevation: 100-250 m
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Pogogyne nudiuscula 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 nudiuscula native to California?
Yes. Pogogyne nudiuscula is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pogogyne nudiuscula bloom?
Pogogyne nudiuscula blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Pogogyne nudiuscula belong to?
Pogogyne nudiuscula is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Pogogyne.
Is Pogogyne nudiuscula rare or endangered?
Pogogyne nudiuscula carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Pogogyne nudiuscula grow in?
Pogogyne nudiuscula grows in Coastal mesa vernal pools.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.