Taxon Report

Monardella undulata Benth. ssp. crispa (Elmer) Elvin & A.C. Sanders

crisp monardella

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Monardella undulata ssp. crispa, commonly known as crisp monardella, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Lamiaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Coastal dunes, and Coastal scrub, growing at elevations from 10 to 120 meters. Monardella undulata ssp. crispa is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Monardella undulata Benth. ssp. crispa (Elmer) Elvin & A.C. Sanders
Common Name:	crisp monardella
Family:	Lamiaceae
Element Code:	PDLAM18070
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:	Monardella crispa Monardella undulata

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial rhizomatous herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Aug(Dec)	Apr-Aug(Dec)
Elevation:	10-120 (35-395)
General Habitats:	Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G3T2
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	30
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	1
Fair (C)	3
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	26

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
San Luis Obispo (SLO), Santa Barbara (SBA)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Casmalia (3412075), Guadalupe (3412085), Oceano (3512015), Point Arguello (3412056), Point Sal (3412086), Surf (3412065)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	6
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	8	27 %
Road/trail construction/maint.	4	13%
ORV activity	2	6%
Other	1	3%
Foot traffic/trampling	1	3%
Mining	1	3%
Non-native plant impacts	1	3%

Notes



Threatened by vehicles. Hybridizes with M. frutescens.
Threats:
Threatened by vehicles.
Taxonomy:
Hybridizes with M. frutescens.

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 26 October 2025].