Monardella
Monardella hypoleuca ssp. lanata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Tribe: Mentheae
Genus: Monardella
L.
Species

See text.

Synonyms[1]

Monardella is a genus of approximately 40 species of annual and perennial plants native to western North America from British Columbia to northwestern Mexico.[1][3][4] They are grown for their highly aromatic foliage, which in some species is used for herbal teas. The two-lipped, tubular flowers are formed in terminal clusters and are most usually red, pink, or purple.[5]

Monardella is a Latin diminutive form of Monarda (a taxonomic patronym honoring the Spanish botanist Nicolás Monardes), which the form of the flower heads resembles. [2] Plants in this genus are commonly known as wildmints, coyote mints or monardellas.

Systematics

The genus comprises the following species.[1]

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 nectar plant for many Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), including the endangered Myrtle's silverspot (Speyeria zerene myrtleae).

Several species are rare California endemics; two, the Merced monardella (M. leucocephala) and Pringle's monardella (M. pringlei), have not been seen in many decades and are presumed extinct.[7][8]

Notes

  1. Madronella is a taxonomic anagram of Monardella.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. 1 2 Burkhardt, Lotte (2018-06-06). Verzeichnis eponymischer Pflanzennamen - Erweiterte Edition. Index of Eponymic Plant Names - Extended Edition. Index de Noms éponymiques des Plantes - Édition augmentée (in German). Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin. p. M64. doi:10.3372/epolist2018. ISBN 978-3-946292-26-5. S2CID 187926901.
  3. Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution maps
  4. Elvin, M.A. & Sanders, A.C. (2009). Nomenclatural changes for Monardella (Lamiaceae) in California. Novon 19: 315-343.
  5. Jepson Manual Treatment
  6. Elvin, M. A., et al. (2013). Monardella eplingii, a new species from the Black Mountains of northwestern Arizona, USA. Madroño 60(1) 46-54.
  7. Jepson Manual Treatment: M. leucocephala
  8. Jepson Manual Treatment: M. pringlei
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