Common Name: Redshank

General Information

Adenostoma sparsifolium is a much-branched, evergreen shrub with a rounded form; it can grow from 2 - 6 metres tall. Mature plants typically have several thick branches from the base that ascend 1 metre or more before the first leafed branches. The leaves are covered with a sticky resin[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials, perhaps also as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

South-western N. America - southern California, northern Baja California

Habitat

A dominant species in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and coniferous woodland, growing on dry granitic slopes, mesas and ravines; at elevations from 200 - 2,500 metres[, , ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Adenostoma sparsifolium grows in a Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by wet, mild winters and hot, dry summers[]. Plants are not very hardy in colder, wetter climates - they do not withstand exposure to prolonged winter frosts, especially if the weather is also wet[, ]. In colder areas they are best tried against a sunny wall wall, especially one shaded from early morning sun[].
Requires a sheltered sunny position in a well-drained soil[, ] and protection from cold winds[]. Plants are usually found in the wild on shallow, well-drained soils, usually fine-textured, occasionally coarse[].
The leaves are resinous and catch fire easily[]. They have a pleasant aroma[].
Plants have a modest rate of growth. Plants established by planting bareroot shrubs 1 - 3 years old in the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, California, showed over 47% survival after 11 years. Nine years after transplanting, they were 4 metres tall and had a 3 metre canopy spread[].
Seedlings planted in the San Dimas Experimental Forest in the Santa Monica Mountains showed 100% survival after 4 years, and were 120 - 180cm tall at that time[].
The plant has a large lignotuber from which it can resprout freely if the plant is cut back by fire, grazing, coppicing etc[].

Edible Uses

Seeds[]. No further information is given, but the seed is very small (less than 2mm long) and would be very fiddly to use[]..

Medicinal

The plant is cathartic[].
The plant has been used externally in the treatment of arthritis[].

An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of colds and chest complaints, and also as a mouth wash to treat toothaches[]. An infusion of the dried leaves, or the branches, has been used in the treatment of stomach ailments, inducing either bowel movements or vomiting[].
An infusion of the bark and leaves has been used to treat syphilis[].

The crushed twigs have been mixed with oil and used as a salve[].

The plant oils (essential oils?[]) have been used to relieve skin infections[].

Agroforestry Uses:

In its native range the plant aids in stabilizing watersheds and is particularly recommended for shallow, well-drained soils[].

Other Uses

The bark is fibrous and has been stripped off the plants to make women's skirts[].

The wood has been used to make fencing posts and as construction material[].
The wood burns well, giving a high intensity heat[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in containers in the greenhouse. Viability is of short duration and can be quite low, in some cases as low as 0 - 4%[]. Seedlings reach a height of around 5cm within 4 - 6 months of germinating, and can then be potted into individual pots.
Cuttings could be tried in August of half-ripe wood, preferably with a heel, in a frame.
Greenwood cuttings in the spring have been successful[].
Layering.