mountain coyote mint

When distinguished from Monardella villosa, Monardella odoratissima is described as a subshrub, growing to 10–45 cm (4 in – 1 ft 6 in). It is generally sparsely hairy, occasionally with sparse stalked cone-shaped glandular hairs. Its untoothed leaves are 15–50 mm (0.6–2.0 in) long and 5–18 mm (0.2–0.7 in) wide, and are green to ashy gray, often tinged with purple. They may be sparsely or densely hairy. The glandular hairs on the underside of the leaf occur in pits. The inflorescence is a cluster of flowers and is usually 12–28 mm (0.5–1.1 in) across, but may be up to 37 mm (1.5 in) across. Each main stem may bear one or several inflorescences. The Inflorescence has erect bracts forming a cup-like structure. The bracts are pale greenish or tinged purple to rose. Each flower has sepals 6–11 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long which are densely hairy or woolly. The petals are white, lavender or purple and are 10–20 mm (0.4–0.8 in) long.

When defined broadly to include Monardella villosa, the species is found in western Northern America, from British Columbia in the north via Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington to Arizona, California and New Mexico in south. It is found in many Northern California mountain ranges, including the Klamath Mountains and the North California Coast Ranges, the Cascade Range, the Sierra Nevada, the Modoc Plateau, White Mountains and Inyo Mountains.

Monardella odoratissima is easy to grow as a garden plant. Although Monardella is in the mint family, most species do not grow from runners. However, they can still be propagated easily from cuttings. They are very attractive to butterflies, which are their main pollinator. Monardella odoratissima will grow in full sun to medium shade. It can be pruned lightly in the late fall or early winter to create a bushier plant, as it can otherwise be sprawling. It blooms profusely anytime from April through August. Because plants are floriferous, they look best when spent blooms are deadheaded.