Pogogyne abramsii


Pogogyne abramsii is a rare species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name San Diego mesa mint.

Description

Pogogyne abramsii is a small, aromatic, densely hairy annual herb producing erect stems topped with tiny but showy inflorescences. The inflorescence contains purple-tinged green bracts and densely hairy sepals surrounding lipped, bell-shaped flowers each about a centimeter long. The flower is pinkish-purple with a purple-spotted white throat. It has a strong mint scent.
The plant is pollinated by several species of bee, including honey bees, Exomalopsis nitens and E. torticornis, and the bee fly Bombylius facialis.
The epithet (botany)|epithet] abramsii commemorates LeRoy Abrams.

Distribution

It is endemic to San Diego County, California, where it is known only from a few sites at vernal pools in and around San Diego and its suburbs. Much of its range is located on the grounds of Marine Corps [Air Station Miramar]. The plant has been federally listed as an endangered species since 1978.