Monardella

Monardella
Monardella hypoleuca ssp. lanata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Subclass: Asteridae (unranked) Euasterids I Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Monardella L.
Species
Several, see text.

Monardella is a genus of twenty species of annual and perennial plants native to western North America. They are grown for their highly aromatic foliage, which in some species is used for herbal teas. The 2-lipped, tubular flowers are formed in terminal clusters and are most usually red, pink, or purple in color.

Plants in this genus are commonly known as wildmints, coyote mints or monardellas.

Selected species

• Monardella cinerea
• Monardella crispa – Crisp Monardella
• Monardella hypoleuca
• Monardella macrantha
• Monardella odoratissima – Mountain Wildmint, Mountain Coyote Mint or Mountain Pennyroyal
• Monardella thymifolia
• Monardella villosa – (Common) Coyote Mint

Horticulture and ecology

Most like a sunny, sharply drained site and can be attractive in a rock garden or pot in the alpine house if smaller species are selected. The taller ones can be used at the front of a dry sunny border. They have reasonable frost resistance, but resent dampness in winter. Propagate from seed or summer cuttings of perennial species, or by division of clumps.

Monardella is a foodplant for some Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) caterpillars. These include e.g. the Endangered Myrtle's Silverspot Butterfly (Speyeria zerene myrtleae)

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Monardella

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