Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium
Thick-leaved yerba santa
Photo: parent species Eriodictyon crassifolium · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Namaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium (Thick-leaved yerba santa) is a native California shrub in the Namaceae family, recognized by . Key features: stem completely obscured by dense tomentum, ovate leaves.
Thick-leaved yerba santa is a California native shrub found in southern California regions including the South Coast, Western Transverse Ranges, San Gabriel Mountains, and Peninsular Ranges in chaparral and woodland habitats at elevations of 15 to 1,520 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to lavender flowers with corollas 8 to 16 millimeters long. Growing with densely gray to white tomentose stems that completely obscure the dark underlying stem, it forms a robust shrubby structure. Its leaves are approximately ovate, covered in a dense gray to white felt-like tomentum that gives the plant a distinctive silvery appearance. The shrub thrives in varied landscapes, from rocky slopes and washes to river bottoms and open woodland areas.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species. Key features: stem completely obscured by dense tomentum, ovate leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, roadsides, washes, river bottoms, mesas, chaparral, woodland
Elevation: 15-1520 m
California counties: Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern
Bloom period
Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium blooms Apr-Jun.
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 crassifolium var. crassifolium native to California?
Yes. Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium bloom?
Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium grow?
Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium occurs in Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern, at elevations of 15-1520 m.
What plant family does Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium belong to?
Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium is in the Namaceae family, genus Eriodictyon.
What habitat does Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium grow in?
Eriodictyon crassifolium var. crassifolium grows in Slopes, roadsides, washes, river bottoms, mesas, chaparral, woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.