Eriodictyon traskiae
Pacific yerba santa
(c) George Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Namaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriodictyon traskiae (Pacific yerba santa) is a native California shrub in the Namaceae family, recognized by Yerba santa with densely tomentose leaves and urn-shaped, throat-constricted corolla; s SCoRO-w WTR-Santa Catalina I.
Pacific yerba santa is a California native shrub found in coastal and southern California habitats at low to moderate elevations. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to lavender flowers in small clusters, with blossoms 6 to 10 millimeters long that are urn-shaped and slightly constricted at the throat. Growing to less than 2 meters tall, it has densely woolly (tomentose) twigs and branches that give the plant a soft, gray-green appearance. Its leaves are distinctive, measuring 3 to 14 centimeters long and 1 to 4 centimeters wide, with a lanceolate to elliptic shape, dense tomentose surface, and margins rolled underneath. The shrub's dense, hairy foliage and uniquely shaped flowers make it a characteristic element of its native coastal and southern California landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Yerba santa with densely tomentose leaves and urn-shaped, throat-constricted corolla; s SCoRO-w WTR-Santa Catalina I.
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego
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 traskiae native to California?
Yes. Eriodictyon traskiae is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Eriodictyon traskiae grow?
Eriodictyon traskiae occurs in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego.
What plant family does Eriodictyon traskiae belong to?
Eriodictyon traskiae is in the Namaceae family, genus Eriodictyon.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriodictyon traskiae var. smithii — Smith's yerba santa
- Eriodictyon traskiae var. traskiae — Trask's yerba santa
- Eriodictyon trichocalyx — Hairy yerba santa
- Eriodictyon trichocalyx var. lanatum — San diego yerba santa
- Eriodictyon trichocalyx var. trichocalyx — Hairy yerba santa
- Eriodictyon altissimum — Indian knob mountainbalm
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.