Douglas' monardella facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Douglas' monardella
Scientific classification
Genus:	Monardella
Species:	douglasii

Monardella douglasii is a special kind of flowering plant. It belongs to the mint family and is commonly known as Douglas' monardella. This plant is a beautiful part of nature, especially in California.

Where Does Douglas' Monardella Live?

Douglas' monardella is a plant that is endemic to northern California. This means it grows naturally only in this specific area and nowhere else in the world! You can find it in several places within the Inner Southern California Coast Ranges. These areas include the Diablo Range and the nearby valleys of the southern San Francisco Bay Area.

This plant is quite adaptable. It can grow in many different types of environments. You might spot it in grassy fields, areas with dense shrubs called chaparral, or in woodlands where oak trees grow. It also likes rocky slopes, especially those with a unique type of ground called serpentine soil.

What Does Douglas' Monardella Look Like?

Douglas' monardella is an annual herb. This means it completes its entire life cycle, from seed to flower to seed, within one year. The plant is usually covered in fine hairs. It grows a branching stem that can be purple in color. This stem can reach a height of about 30 centimeters, which is roughly the length of a standard ruler.

The leaves of Douglas' monardella are arranged opposite each other on the stem. They can vary in their exact shape. The flowers grow together in a cluster, forming a head. This flower head sits inside a cup-like structure made of special leaves called bracts. These bracts are often green with purple veins and can look a bit see-through. The actual flowers are purple and are just over a centimeter long.

Images for kids

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  Douglas' monardella in its natural habitat.