*Monardella villosa ssp. franciscana* - Franciscan Coyote Mint. This form is mainly found in San Mateo, San Francisco, and Marin Counties, the far north of Santa Cruz County, and may have historically been present in western Alameda County.

It smells delightful, and tastes like peppermint with a tiny hint of epazote. You can find it blooming in late summer, typically at the margins of grasslands and in rocky, exposed, but still somewhat mesic areas.

These photos are from Eagle Rock in Santa Cruz Co.
#bloomscrolling #CaliforniaNativePlants #botany #bayarea #nativeplants #monardellavillosafranciscana #monardellavillosa #monardella #Plantsofsanfrancisco #florespondence #mint #santacruzcounty