Eriodictyon traskiae var. smithii
Smith's yerba santa, Smith's Yerba Santa
(c) George Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Namaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Eriodictyon traskiae var. smithii (Smith's yerba santa) is a native California shrub in the Namaceae family, recognized by . Key features: large elliptic leaves with long petioles, mainland distribution.
Smith's yerba santa is a California native shrub found in the southern Santa Lucia Mountains and western Transverse Ranges in chaparral and disturbed slopes at elevations of 150 to 1,430 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers with corollas 7 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with sturdy branches up to one meter tall, it often appears in areas recently affected by wildfires. Its leaves are distinctive, with elliptic blades 8 to 14 centimeters long and 1.5 to 4 centimeters wide, carried on petioles 10 to 20 millimeters long. The plant's ability to regenerate after fire makes it an important species in California's chaparral ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species. Key features: large elliptic leaves with long petioles, mainland distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, disturbed areas, often following fires, chaparral
Elevation: 150-1430 m
Bloom period
Eriodictyon traskiae var. smithii blooms May-Jul.
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 var. smithii native to California?
Yes. Eriodictyon traskiae var. smithii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriodictyon traskiae var. smithii bloom?
Eriodictyon traskiae var. smithii blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Eriodictyon traskiae var. smithii belong to?
Eriodictyon traskiae var. smithii is in the Namaceae family, genus Eriodictyon.
What habitat does Eriodictyon traskiae var. smithii grow in?
Eriodictyon traskiae var. smithii grows in Slopes, disturbed areas, often following fires, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Eriodictyon angustifolium — Narrow-leaved yerba santa
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.