Monardella villosa

Monardella villosa is a plant in the mint family which is known by the common name coyote mint.

Monardella villosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Monardella
Species:
M. villosa
Binomial name
Monardella villosa

This is a perennial wildflower found only in California, except for one subspecies which sometimes occurs in Oregon. It grows in habitats of the California chaparral and woodlands in the California Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills.

Description

Monardella villosa forms a small bush or matted groundcover tangle of hairy mint-scented foliage. It produces rounded inflorescences of small, thready, bright lavender or pink flowers.

Subspecies

Subspecies include:[1]

  • Monardella villosa ssp. franciscana
  • Monardella villosa ssp. obispoensis
  • Monardella villosa ssp. villosa

Uses

The flowers are attractive to butterflies, with the nectar providing a food source for them.

This plant was used by the indigenous peoples of California as a remedy for stomach upset, respiratory conditions, and sore throat. It may also be steeped into a bitter mint tea.

Cultivation

Monardella villosa is cultivated in by specialty plant nurseries and available as an ornamental plant for native plant, drought tolerant, natural landscape, and habitat gardens; and for ecological restoration projects.

References
  1. Calflora: Monardella villosa + subspecies

Media related to Monardella villosa at Wikimedia Commons


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