English: San Diego thornmint; Thornmint; Thorn-mint.
Genus: 4 species.
Region: California.
Habitat: chaparral and coastal sage scrub plant communities, vernal pools.
Culture: threatened species
BotanyHerb; annual; aromatic; small, 15 centimeters tall.
Stem: erect.
Leaves: rounded to oval; serrated; petioled; 1.5 cm long; veins are conspicuous; margins spiny.
Inflorescence: head-like, in clusters, terminal.
Flowers: white, often tinted purple to pink; with oval-shaped bracts; 1 cm long, 1 cm wide; edged with long spines; upper lip hooded, acuminate; lower lip slightly longer, oblong, reflexed, three-lobed; corolla funnel shaped; four stamens, the upper two reduced, whether they are sterile or not; styles are slender.
Fruit: ovoid; with smooth exterior texture.