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Common Name: Hairy Yerba Santa

General Information

Eriodictyon trichocalyx is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 2.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

South-western N. America - California to Mexico.

Habitat

Dry hills[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a position in full sun in a well-drained sandy soil[].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[]. It is probably best grown against a sunny wall.

Edible Uses

The fresh or dried leaves have been used as a tea[].
The leaves have been used as a wayside nibble to quench the thirst[].

Medicinal

The leaves are blood purifier and febrifuge[]. A poultice of the freshly pounded leaves has been applied to relieve the pain of rheumatic joints[]. A decoction of the leaves has been taken internally to treat TB, sore throats, rheumatism, asthma, catarrh, fevers, coughs and colds[].

Other Uses

Planted as a fire-break and also for erosion control in California[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[]. 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.