Scientific Family
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
Hedeoma piperita, Hedeoma thymoides
Other common names
mock-pennyroyal
false pennyroyal
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
10 to 20 inches
Riparian
No
Has stiff and square stems; stems many, erect or ascending, branching near the base, covered with curled or crisped hairs.
Woody base perennial; stems many, erect or ascending, branched near base, covered with curled or spreading hairs, 10 to 20 inches; leaf blades ovate to oblong, lower ones finely toothed; flowers rose-purple with white markings, one to many in leaf axils.
Habitat
Found on hillsides and mountain slopes.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1800
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers have purple stripes, 2 lobes above and 3 lobes below; up to 1/8 inch wide and 1/2 inch long; clustered in leaf axils; flowers on a slender stem.
Flower color
Purple to pinkish-purple
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves to 1/2 inch long; opposite and subsessile or on stems; some can be finely toothed.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Bright green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Nutlets less than 1/16 inch.
Fruit type
Nutlet