Eriodictyon trichocalyx
Hairy Yerba Santa
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Hydrophyllaceae
- Genus
- Eriodictyon
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 2 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
The fresh or dried leaves have been used as a tea[2]. The leaves have been used as a wayside nibble to quench the thirst[2].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Product or use
- Tea
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
The leaves are blood purifier and febrifuge[2]. A poultice of the freshly pounded leaves has been applied to relieve the pain of rheumatic joints[2]. A decoction of the leaves has been taken internally to treat TB, sore throats, rheumatism, asthma, catarrh, fevers, coughs and colds[2].
- Product or use
- Antiasthmatic
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Blood purifier
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
Material uses
Planted as a fire-break and also for erosion control in California[1].
- Product or use
- Fire retardant
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- South-western N. America - California to Mexico.
- Habitat
- Dry hills[1].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cultivation
Requires a position in full sun in a well-drained sandy soil[1]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[1]. It is probably best grown against a sunny wall.
References
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9