Shelton's Monardella
Monardella sheltonii
- Native to:
- United States
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Monardella
- Species:
- Monardella sheltonii
- USDA Symbol:
- MOSH
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, lavender
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Anoncia orites, Anstenoptilia marmarodactyla, california pyrausta moth (Pyrausta californicalis), Coleophora sp. B, orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia franciscana), Pyrausta dapalis, Pyrausta fodinalis, Pyrausta perrubralis
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 root crown following fire; typical of chaparral and dry montane species.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to rocky slopes and ridges
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with light exposure. Cold stratification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Germination rates are highly variable for individuals from different populations. Relatively clean seed may be shaken from whole fruiting heads collected from mid to late summer.
Source: npn.rngr.net