Pringle’s Monardella: A Lost Treasure of California’s Native Flora
Sometimes in the world of native gardening, we encounter plants that serve as poignant reminders of what we’ve lost. Pringle’s monardella (Monardella pringlei) is one such plant—a native California species that tells a bittersweet story of biodiversity and conservation.
What Was Pringle’s Monardella?
Pringle’s monardella was an annual forb native to California, belonging to the mint family. As a forb, it was a non-woody plant that completed its entire life cycle in a single growing season. Like other members of the Monardella genus, it likely produced small, aromatic flowers that would have been characteristic of mint family plants.
A California Native That’s No Longer With Us
This plant was endemic to California, meaning it existed nowhere else on Earth. Sadly, Pringle’s monardella carries a Global Conservation Status of SX, which means it’s Presumed Extirpated. In simple terms, despite intensive searches by botanists and researchers, this species is believed to be extinct—gone forever from California’s landscapes.
Why This Matters to Native Gardeners
You might wonder why we’re talking about a plant you can’t grow in your garden. Here’s the thing: Pringle’s monardella represents the fragility of our native ecosystems and serves as a reminder of why supporting native plant conservation is so crucial.
Every extinct native plant represents:
- Lost genetic diversity that can never be recovered
- Broken ecological relationships with pollinators and wildlife
- A gap in the complex web of native ecosystems
- Missed opportunities for future generations to experience this species
What Native Gardeners Can Do Instead
While we can’t bring back Pringle’s monardella, we can honor its memory by supporting other native Monardella species that are still with us. California is home to several other monardella species that you can grow in your native garden:
- Mountain monardella (Monardella odoratissima)
- Coyote mint (Monardella fistulosa)
- Mustang mint (Monardella lanceolata)
These relatives of Pringle’s monardella can provide similar ecological benefits, supporting native pollinators and adding the characteristic aromatic qualities that make mints so special in the garden.
Supporting Conservation Efforts
The story of Pringle’s monardella underscores why native plant conservation matters. By choosing native plants for our gardens, supporting local native plant societies, and protecting natural habitats, we can help prevent other species from sharing this plant’s fate.
Consider this: every native plant you grow in your garden is a small act of conservation—a way of keeping native genetics alive and supporting the wildlife that depends on these plants.
The Bigger Picture
While we can’t turn back the clock for Pringle’s monardella, we can use its story as motivation. Choose native plants that are still available, support conservation organizations working to protect rare species, and spread the word about the importance of native plant gardening.
Sometimes the plants we can’t grow teach us just as much as the ones we can—they remind us that our gardening choices today can help determine which plants future generations will have the chance to enjoy.
