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YERBA MANZA

Anemopsis californica

Chumash: qayas Español: Sauco

Plant Description

Category: Perennial Herb

Origin: Southwestern North America

Evergreen: Semi- Deciduous

Flower Color: White, Cream and Red

Bloomtime: Spring, Winter

Height: 1 ft. 

Width: 2 ft.

Exposure: Part Shade, Full Sun

Drought Tolerant:  No

Irrigation:  Medium to High

Alternate Names: Lizard Tail

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Yerba Mansa is a perennial herb that requires moist soil, so best to plant in streambeds, seeps or other damp areas. It produces beautiful white flowers in the early spring that remain on the plant until it starts to go dormant in late summer. It will often spread out like a carpet throughout the damper soil, and choke out any other plants in the area. When blooming it is quite beautiful. It makes a good ground cover near ponds and is deer resistant. 

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Yerba Mansa is highly valued as a medicinal plant by the Chumash and neighboring tribes. It can be used as an anti-inflammatory and is highly valued as a disinfectant. ​​ The plant has anti-bacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. It can be used for a variety of issues from the common cold to mouth ulcers. Its name means “calming herb” in Spanish although there are no reported sedative effects of this plant.

For Additional Information About this Plant

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