Hairy Yerba Santa
Eriodictyon trichocalyx
The sticky, aromatic resins on its leaves reduce water loss in arid environments and act as a natural deterrent against browsing herbivores.
- Scientific name
- Eriodictyon trichocalyx
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Boraginales › Boraginaceae › Eriodictyon
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Chaparral, coastal sage scrub, dry rocky slopes, and openings in pinyon-juniper and open pine woodlands.
- Diet
- Autotroph
- Range
- United States (Southern California), Mexico (Northern Baja California)
- Size
- 1–2 m tall
- Lifespan
- 10–25 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss from urban development, altered wildfire frequencies, and displacement by invasive non-native grasses.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to humans. The foliage is coated in a sticky, aromatic resin that can transfer to skin or clothing and occasionally cause mild contact irritation in sensitive individuals. Wash skin with soap and warm water if exposed.
Eriodictyon trichocalyx is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name hairy yerba santa .
Photo: no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist
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