Eriodictyon Species, Yerba Santa, California yerba santa

A native throughout California and parts of Oregon, E. californicum is a shrub that spreads by suckering and often forms clonal stands. I...Read Moret can be found in a wide range of habitats, and is very drought tolerant. It's common name, meaning "Sacret Herb" in Spanish, comes from the plants long history as a cure-all medicinal plant in the cultures of Native Californians and early settlers. Leaves are lancelot, and both leaves and stems are covered in a sticky film that acts as a natural insect and herbivore repellant, as well as fire retardant. Blooms in shades from white to purple appear on plants in spring. While not for the average garden, E. californicum can be useful for errosion control and xeroscaping.