Monardella villosa
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 |
Monardella villosa is a plant in the mint family which is known by the common name coyote mint.
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. It is also found at 11000 feet in Utah above timberline.
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[]
External links[]
Media related to Monardella villosa at Wikimedia Commons
- Calflora Database: Monardella villosa (Coyote mint)
- Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Monardella villosa
- USDA Plants Profile for Monardella villosa (coyote mint)
- University of Michigan: Ethnobotany of Monardella villosa
- UC Photos gallery — Monardella villosa
- Monardella
- Flora of California
- Flora of Oregon
- Flora of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)
- Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
- Natural history of the California Coast Ranges
- Natural history of the San Francisco Bay Area
- Plants used in traditional Native American medicine
- Garden plants of North America
- Butterfly food plants
- Drought-tolerant plants
- Groundcovers
- Lamiaceae stubs