Scientific Family
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
Monardella odoratissima ssp. glauca, M. odoratissima ssp. parvifolia, M. odoratissima var. glauca, M. odoratissima
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
8 to 12 inches
Riparian
No
Bushy herb with a woody base, stems ascending to lying flat with tip growing upward; unbranched; green or covered with grayish-white hairs that curl downwards; releases a strongly minty odor when touched.
Low and bushy, several leafy stems; leaves, oval, opposite; flower clusters of 1 to many purple, reddish-purple or light purple flowers at ends of stems, clusters in a cup of purple-tinged leaves, petals 3/4 inch long, sparsely to densely hairy.
Habitat
Coniferous forests, sagebrush scrub, and montane forests,
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
11000
Flower Characteristics
Flower heads flat, in shallow cup of upright purple-tinged bracts; outer bracts reflexed or spreading; calyx 1/4 to 1/2 inch; tube has sparse hairs; lobes with spreading, stiff hairs, petals light purple to reddish-purple or purple.
Flower color
Light purple, reddish-purple, purple
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Green hairy stems; leaves 1 to 1-3/4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide; leaves green without hairs to grayish-green with hairs; oval-shaped and opposite.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green, grayish-green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
4 smooth; oblong; approximately 1/16 inch long.
Fruit type
Nutlet
Fruit color
Dark brown to black