Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum)

Shrub, often 2 or 3 feet tall, with a few woody stems - easily identified by very long, dark leaves, often with black spots on them.

January	April	July	October
Leaves always present
	White flowers	Brown seeds and flower husks

Field ID Tips

· Leaves 5” or so long, but less than 1” wide. Small serrations on edge. Leathery feel and look. Leaves often darker green than adjacent plans, often with black spots of sooty mold.

· Flowers tubular, 5 petals, white or pale blue, several single flowers near the top of the stem.

· Seeds woody, in clusters near the top of the stem.

Links:

Cal Photos

Wikipedia

Mountain Home To West Point Shrubs

Yerba Santa leaves are more blue-green than other shrubs, so they stand out.

Dried flower husks stay on the bush for months.

White flowers at the end of stems

Yerba Santa in bloom, with Sticky Monkey Flower and Douglas Iris.