This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Eriodictyon californicum
  • Yerba Santa

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Eriodictyon genus in the family Hydrophyllaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Eriodictyon californicum has 0 edible uses listed
Eriodictyon californicum has 0 material uses listed
Eriodictyon californicum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

The fresh leaves are chewed for their refreshing taste and to relieve thirst[1].

An aromatic sweet tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[1].

An extract of the leaves is used as a flavouring in baked goods, sweets, ice cream and soft drinks[1].

Unknown part

Condiment
Tea

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

The leaves have been woven into skirts and aprons[2].

Unknown part

Weaving

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Yerba Santa (the name means Holy weed) is a famous domestic remedy from south-western N. America where it is considered to be especially useful as an expectorant[3]. It is an ingredient of many patent cough medicines[3].

The leaves are an aromatic pleasant tasting tonic herb that reduces spasms, expels phlegm and lowers fevers[3][4]. They are especially recommended for treating diseases of the chest and respiratory system, including asthma, and are also used in the treatment of hay fever[5][6][3]. A bitter tea made from the leaves has been much used as a bitter tonic and a stimulating balsamic expectorant[7][8]. A steam bath made from the branches and leaves has been used in the treatment of rheumatism[2]. A decoction of the leaves has been used as a wash for sore areas and painful fatigued limbs[2]. A natural mouthwash is prepared by rolling the leaves into balls and allowing them to dry in the sun[8]. These are then chewed and at first have a bitter flavour but this is soon replaced by a sweetness if a drink of water is taken[8]. The leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for later use[3].

The plant has been smoked as a remedy for asthma[8].

Unknown part

Antiasthmatic
Expectorant
Pectoral
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[6]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow on the young plants for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer. Give some protection from the cold for at least their first couple of winters outdoors.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Eriodictyon californicum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a position in full sun in a well-drained sandy soil[6].

This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[6]. It is probably best grown against a sunny wall. If the plant needs pruning to keep it within bounds, then this is best carried out in spring or early summer. Do not cut back to wood more than 2 years old[3].

This plant is remarkable for the coating of varnish-like resin that covers the upper leaf surface[6]. The foliage is very aromatic[6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Eriodictyon californicum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Eriodictyon californicum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Eriodictyon californicum
Genus
Eriodictyon
Family
Hydrophyllaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1]
Medicinal uses
[3][4][5][6][7][8][2]
Material uses & Functions
[2]
Botanic
[6]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    2.25 x 2 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.6 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.66.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)

    "image:Eriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Eriodictyon_californicum&oldid=77116"
    Facts about "Eriodictyon californicum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyHydrophyllaceae +
    Belongs to genusEriodictyon +
    Has binomial nameEriodictyon californicum +
    Has common nameYerba Santa +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Leaves +
    Has edible useCondiment +, Unknown use + and Tea +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has imageEriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useWeaving +
    Has mature height2.25 +
    Has mature width2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiasthmatic +, Expectorant +, Pectoral + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageEriodictyon californicum 00096.JPG +
    Has search nameeriodictyon californicum + and yerba santa +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameEriodictyon californicum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Eriodictyon californicum +, Eriodictyon californicum +, Eriodictyon californicum +, Eriodictyon californicum +, Eriodictyon californicum +, Eriodictyon californicum +, Eriodictyon californicum + and Eriodictyon californicum +