Scientific Family
Lamiaceae
Other common names
mock pennyroyal
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual or perennial
Height
4 to 10 inches
Riparian
No
The plant is branched mainly from the base. The hair on the leaves curves downward. Lower calyceal lobes are twice as long as the upper ones, which are reflexed (bent backward) at maturity.
Stems prostrate to ascending, wiry, mostly 25 to 50 cm long. Lower half of calyx (flower bracts) tube notably distended at maturity.
Habitat
Rocky canyons, limestone outcrops.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
6500
Flower Characteristics
The flower has a two-lobed upper lip and a three-lobed lower lip. The middle lobe is the longest, has a white patch at the center and is somewhat curved backward.
Flower color
Purplish
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Plant branches from the base, sending up many arching stems with small, ovate leaves. All parts of the plant are covered with short, fine hairs. Leaves may have reddish-purple edges and veins.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruits are waxy nutlets that are gelatinous when wet.
Fruit type
Nutlet
Fruit color
Green to brownish
Small brown seeds are egg-shaped, 1 to 4 per nutlet.