California Yerba Santa

(Eriodictyon californicum)

California Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum)

rappman

CC BY 4.0

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Estimated Native Range

Summary

Eriodictyon californicum, commonly known as California Yerba Santa, is an evergreen shrub native to dry slopes, canyons, and chaparral of California and Oregon, particularly thriving in the coastal ranges and the Sierra Nevada foothills. This aromatic shrub can reach heights of 3 to 4 feet (about 1 meter) and is often found in clonal stands due to its woody rhizomes. Its dark green, leathery leaves are narrow, oblong to lanceolate, and can be up to 15 centimeters long, with foliage and twigs covered in a shiny resin that helps reduce water loss. From late spring to early summer, Eriodictyon californicum produces an inflorescence consisting of clusters of bell-shaped white to purplish flowers, each between one and two centimeters in length, which are particularly attractive to bees and hummingbirds.

California Yerba Santa is valued for its medicinal properties, drought tolerance, and the pleasant aroma of its foliage, which can be used to freshen the air. It is often used in native plant gardens, xeriscaping, and as a component in restoration projects due to its adaptability to poor soils and its ability to stabilize slopes. In cultivation, it prefers full sun, tolerates low to medium water conditions, and thrives in well-drained soils. While generally free of serious pests and diseases, it can suffer from root rot if overwatered. Its resinous leaves can also be a fire hazard in extremely dry conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrub
Height: 3-6 feet
Width: 3-9 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Purple, Blue, Pink, White
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Low, Medium
Drainage: Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fire Resistant, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Dry slopes, canyons, and chaparral of California and Oregon, particularly in the coastal ranges and the Sierra Nevada foothills

Other Names

Common Names: Hairy Yerba Santa, Yerba Santa, Mountain Balm, Bear’s Weed, Gum Bush, Gum Plant, Consumptive Weed, Herbe Des Montagnes, Herbe À Ourse, Herbe Sacrée

Scientific Names: , Eriodictyon californicum, Eriodictyon glutinosum, Eriodictyon californicum subsp. glutinosum, Wigandia californica,

GBIF Accepted Name: Eriodictyon californicum (Hook. & Arn.) Greene