Eriodictyon capitatum
Lompoc yerba santa
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Family: Namaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
Eriodictyon capitatum (Lompoc yerba santa) is a native California shrub in the Namaceae family, recognized by . Key features: head-like inflorescence, very narrow leaves.
Lompoc yerba santa is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in southern Central Coast, southern South Coast Ranges, and western Transverse Ranges in Santa Barbara County, inhabiting ravines, mesas, chaparral, and Bishop-pine woodland at elevations of 40 to 900 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces lavender flowers in dense head-like clusters up to 2.5 centimeters wide with distinctive long-hairy calyx lobes. Growing less than 3 meters tall with sticky, glabrous twigs, it forms a distinctive shrubby structure. Its narrow linear leaves are 4 to 9 centimeters long, strongly rolled under at the margins, sticky on the upper surface, and densely woolly on the lower surface. Its funnel-shaped lavender flowers feature corolla tubes 6 to 15 millimeters long, densely hairy on the exterior.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species. Key features: head-like inflorescence, very narrow leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ravines, mesas, chaparral, Bishop-pine woodland
Elevation: 40-900 m
California counties: Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Eriodictyon capitatum blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
How to tell it apart
vs Salvia: Eriodictyon has tubular flowers in branched clusters; Salvia has 2-lipped flowers in whorled spikes.; vs Baccharis: Eriodictyon has showy tubular flowers with petals; Baccharis has tiny flowers in fuzzy white/tan heads without petals.; vs Eriogonum: Eriodictyon has tubular flowers with petals; Eriogonum has tiny petal-less flowers in ball-like clusters.; vs Heteromeles: Eriodictyon has tubular flowers; Heteromeles has flat-topped clusters of white 5-petaled flowers with red berries.; vs Pseudognaphalium: Eriodictyon is a woody shrub with tubular flowers; Pseudognaphalium is an herb with fuzzy leaves and papery flower heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eriodictyon capitatum native to California?
Yes. Eriodictyon capitatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriodictyon capitatum bloom?
Eriodictyon capitatum blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Eriodictyon capitatum grow?
Eriodictyon capitatum occurs in Santa Barbara, at elevations of 40-900 m.
What plant family does Eriodictyon capitatum belong to?
Eriodictyon capitatum is in the Namaceae family, genus Eriodictyon.
Is Eriodictyon capitatum rare or endangered?
Eriodictyon capitatum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriodictyon crassifolium — Felt leaved yerba santa
- Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium — Thick-leaved yerba santa
- Eriodictyon crassifolium var. nigrescens — Bicolored yerba santa
- Eriodictyon lobbii — Matted yerba santa
- Eriodictyon parryi — Poodle-dog bush
- Eriodictyon sessilifolium — Sessile-leaved yerba santa
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.