Mountain Pennyroyal

Genus Monardella
Mint Family (Lamiaceae/Labiatae)






Mountain Pennyroyal
(Monardella odoratissima)

These plants grow only about a foot tall or less, but they spread wide. Each plant has many flower clusters. They bloom in July and August.



Low, spreading plant with many clusters of flowers

Clusters of light lavender-colored blossoms -- each cluster about an inch across




Like many other members of the mint family, this one is very aromatic -- a strong odor, but not unpleasant. I was told by one person that the Native Americans used the crushed leaves as an insect repellant.




Albion Basin
Wasatch Mountains
Salt Lake County, Utah


References


Photographed
by Sandra Bray
July 2003