Eriodictyon californicum
Family: Hydrophyllaceae
Woody perennial. This is one of the most famous medicinal herbs
of the American West, growing mainly on the low altitude slopes of the
Sierra Nevadas. Standing on a ridge looking over the green vineyards
of the Napa Valley, your feet will be on coarse, talusy rock, and all around
you will find growing--Yerba Santa. The glossy green leaves and mahogany
stems are literally varnished with shiny resins, and they are loaded with
flavonoids, as well. The hotter the climate, the more the plant produces
this drying and decongestant resin. Cultivation: Extra
care. Sow seed in sandy potting soil in a flat in the spring.
Prick seedlings out to gallon pots and grow this way for a year.
Transplant to a good southern exposure. Will tolerate some frost,
but this is not a plant for areas with severe winters. Likes rocky,
well-drained soil. Space plants 2 to 4 feet apart. Grows from
3 to 6 feet tall.
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