Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Pycnanthemum californicum is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Sierra mint. It is endemic to California, where it grows in mountains and foothills throughout the state, in chaparral, woodland, forest, and other habitat. It is a perennial herb growing erect one half to one meter in height, with hairless to fuzzy, aromatic herbage. The oppositely arranged leaves are lance-shaped to nearly oval, each a few centimeters long. The inflorescences are located in clusters about the stem just above each upper pair of leaves. Each flower has a whitish upper lip and a purplish lower lip, sometimes with spots.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

2 - 3 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Purple, White

Flowering season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Moderate

Sunset Zones

1, 4, 5, 6, 7*, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

Site type

Moist places

Plant communities

Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Northern Oak Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 2 likely

Confirmed Likely

Anstenoptilia marmarodactyla

Tobacco Budworm Moth

Chloridea virescens