San Antonio Hills monardella
Monardella odoratissima subsp. villosa (Benth.) Brunell
In the Tassajara region, plants historically called Monardella antonina are especially recognizable by their relatively hairless leaves dotted with glands. They occur among the woodland openings of the Santa Lucia Mountains, including the central part of Tassajara Canyon. David Rogers: A Flora of Tassajara, second edition
Botanical name
Kew treats Monardella antonina as a synonym of M. odoratissima subsp. villosa. The description follows the California regional treatment that explicitly includes M. antonina, rather than the narrower coastal use of M. villosa subsp. villosa proposed in 2014. Kew: Monardella antoninaDavid Rogers: A Flora of Tassajara, second editionElvin and colleagues: Three new subspecies of Monardella
Recognizing the plant
In the regional flora, the inclusive taxon forms tufted evergreen herbs or low subshrubs with slender stems about 10–60 cm tall. Opposite leaves have short stalks and oval to lance-shaped blades, with smooth or irregularly toothed margins. Dense flower clusters, about 1–3 cm across, terminate the shoots. Each small corolla has a two-lobed upper lip and a three-lobed lower lip. Colors range from purplish blue through pinkish lavender, occasionally approaching white. The fruit separates into four small, oblong nutlets. David Rogers: A Flora of Tassajara, second edition
Bloom window
Tassajara region, California
The regional flowering period runs from May through July, sometimes extending into September. David Rogers: A Flora of Tassajara, second edition
Native range
The accepted subspecies is native to California. The regional account documents woodland clearings and transitions between vegetation types in Monterey County. Kew: Monardella odoratissima subsp. villosaDavid Rogers: A Flora of Tassajara, second edition
Botanical sources
- Kew: Monardella antonina
- Kew: Monardella odoratissima subsp. villosa
- David Rogers: A Flora of Tassajara, second edition
- Elvin and colleagues: Three new subspecies of Monardella
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.