Hairy Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon trichocalyx)

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Eriodictyon trichocalyx
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Boraginales
Family:	Namaceae
Genus:	Eriodictyon
Species:	E. trichocalyx
Binomial name
Eriodictyon trichocalyx A.Heller[1]

Eriodictyon trichocalyx is a species of flowering plant in the family Namaceae,^[1] known by the common name hairy yerba santa.

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.^{[citation needed]}

It is native to Southern California and Baja California,^[2] 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[3]

The Chumash also used it as a liniment for the feet and chest.^[3]

• Jepson Manual Treatment - Eriodictyon trichocalyx
• Eriodictyon trichocalyx - Photo gallery