Hairy yerba santa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hairy yerba santa |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eriodictyon
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| Species: |
trichocalyx
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Eriodictyon trichocalyx is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name hairy yerba santa.
Distribution
It is native to Southern California and Baja California, where it grows in several habitat types, including chaparral and grassland. It is similar to E. crassifolium and grows in some of the same areas.
Description
Eriodictyon trichocalyx is a shrub growing erect up to about 2 meters tall, with lance-shaped to oval leaves up to 14 centimeters long. They are hairless and resinous to densely woolly. The inflorescence is a cluster of white to light purple bell-shaped flowers. At higher elevations, the plant tends to a much smaller stature and often appear more thin and ratty; rare, large plants at these elevations tend to be old and woody, and may have a large, tree-like trunk at their base and a great deal of dead wood and twigs.
Medicinal Uses
The Cahuilla people of California used it to treat coughs, colds, sore throats, asthma, tuberculosis, and catarrh. It was also used as a liniment and a poultice. The Cahuilla also used it as a tea bath, where it relieved rheumatism, tired limbs, fevers, and sores.
The Chumash also used it as a liniment for the feet and chest.
