Taxon Report

Monardella sinuata Elvin & A.C. Sanders ssp. sinuata

southern curly-leaved monardella

Print Report


© 2017 Keir Morse

Taxon Summary

Monardella sinuata ssp. sinuata, commonly known as southern curly-leaved monardella, is a annual herb in the Lamiaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Coastal dunes, and Coastal scrub (openings), growing at elevations from 0 to 300 meters. Monardella sinuata ssp. sinuata is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Monardella sinuata Elvin & A.C. Sanders ssp. sinuata
Common Name:
 southern curly-leaved monardella
Family: Lamiaceae
Element Code: PDLAM18161
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Sep Apr-Sep
Elevation: 0-300 (0-985)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub
Microhabitat: Sandy
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.2
Global Rank: G3T2
State Rank:
 S2
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status: SB_UCSC
CRPR Changes:
  • added to 1B.2 on 2013-12-31

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 36
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 4
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 1
   Unknown (U) 31

Location
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
San Luis Obispo (SLO), Santa Barbara (SBA)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Arroyo Grande NE (3512025), Casmalia (3412075), Foxen Canyon (3412072), Lompoc (3412064), Los Alamos (3412063), Manzanita Mtn. (3412081), Morro Bay South (3512037), Oceano (3512015)*, Orcutt (3412074), Pismo Beach (3512026), San Simeon (3512162)?*, Sisquoc (3412073), Surf (3412065), Tepusquet Canyon (3412082), Twitchell Dam (3412083), Zaca Creek (3412062), Zaca Lake (3412071)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 3
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
7 19 %
Non-native plant impacts 6 16%
Other 2 5%
Development 1 2%

Notes
Several historical occurrences are presumed extirpated by urbanization and non-native plants. Seriously threatened by veldt grass (Ehrharta calycina) invasion. Also threatened by development, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, vehicles, foot traffic, and recreational activities. Possibly threatened by climate shifts. Previously included in M. undulata. Similar to M. breweri and M. douglasii. See Novon 19(3):315-345 (2009) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2013-12-31
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 27 January 2025].