Mountain Monardella
Monardella odoratissima
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Thayne Tuason
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Monardella
- Species:
- Monardella odoratissima
- USDA Symbol:
- MOOD
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 45 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, lavender, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from woody root crown after fire. Common in fire-prone montane and chaparral communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in mountainous regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Surface sow; seeds require light for germination. Cold stratification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Sow seed into trays filled with stabilized medium plugs (Q-plugs). Seal trays inside plastic bags and refrigerate at 1 to 3 °C for 14 days. Check trays weekly and keep moist. If mold is evident, treat trays with 1% hydrogen peroxide. Alternatively, cold-moist stratification for 90 days can be used for higher germination rate.
Establishment: M. odoratissima grows in montane forests and amongst sagebrush scrub above 600 to 3000 m in Canada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, and Nevada. It is found in Northern California coast ranges, Cascade Range, the Sierra Nevadas, Modoc Plateau, White Mountains, and Inyo Mountains. M. odoratissima will grow in wet or dry, rocky, and sandy soils. There is a variation in germination rate based on the stratification period.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow at 4°C for 3 months, then place @ 20°C for 3 months. Requires light or the seed is very fine. Surface sow and expose to light. * 5% germination rate