Monardella eplingii, a New Species from the Black Mountains of Northwestern Arizona, USA

Abstract Monardella eplingii Elvin, A. C. Sanders, & J. L. Anderson (Lamiaceae), a new species from the Black Mountains of northwestern Arizona is described and illustrated. This new species is similar to M. arizonica Epling, M. eremicola A. C. Sanders & Elvin, M. robisonii Epling, M. mojavensis Elvin & A. C. Sanders, M. boydii A. C. Sanders & Elvin, M. linoides A. Gray subsp. linoides, and M. linoides subsp. erecta (Abrams) Elvin & A. C. Sanders. It differs from these taxa in leaf and bract morphology, pubescence on the stems and calyces, soil and geologic affinities, and distribution. A key is included for the Monardella of the eastern Mojave Desert region.