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Common Name: Mountain Pennyroyal

General Information

Monardella odoratissima is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.60 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Western N. America - Washington to California.

Habitat

Open wet or dry, often rocky places at low to moderate elevations[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist but well-drained sandy soil[, ]. Requires a sunny position[]. Strongly resents excessively cold damp soils in the winter[].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[].
A very polymorphic species, there are many sub-species[].

Edible Uses

The fresh or dried aromatic leaves and flower heads are steeped in cold water to make a refreshing mint-like tea[].

Medicinal

The plant is carminative and febrifuge[]. A decoction of the stems and flower heads has been used in the treatment of flatulence and other digestive upsets, colds and fevers[]. The decoction is also used as an eye wash for sore or inflamed eyes[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring. Large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Cuttings of semi-ripe shoots, July in a frame[].