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Bransford, W.D. Mrs.

Anemopsis californica (Nutt.) Hook. & Arn.

Yerba mansa, Yerba-mansa, Lizard tail

Saururaceae (Lizard's-Tail Family)

Synonyms: Anemia californica, Anemopsis californica var. subglabra

USDA Symbol: ANCA10

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Woolly stems, 4-20 in. high, are subtended by large, waxy, dull-green basal leaves that lie flat on the ground. Stems root as they grow along the surface, forming an unusual, solid ground cover. Spikes of odd, whitish flowers occur at the top of the flowering stem. The plant exudes a unique fragrance on warm days.

Mansa in Spanish means mild or tame, the whole name supposedly meaning herb or tame, the whole name supposedly meaning herb of the tamed Indian. The aromatic rootstock has been put to many medicinal uses: treatment of abrasions, cuts, and burns; a cure for a variety of gastrointestinal upsets; a poultice for rheumatism; a tonic for blood purification.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Leaf Color: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , KS , NV , NM , OK , OR , TX , UT
Native Distribution: Santa Clara Co., CA & the Sacramento valley to NV, s.w. UT & TX, s. to Mex.; introduced in e. CO
Native Habitat: Wet, alkaline marsh & creek edges below 6500 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Wet or moist alkaline soils.

Benefit

Use Food: Leaves used in teas.
Use Medicinal: The aromatic rootstock has been put to many medicinal uses: treatment of abrasions, cuts, and burns; a cure for a variety of gastrointestinal upsets; a poultice for rheumatism; a tonic for blood purification.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Sow seed.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: No treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ

Bibliography

Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources (2006) Anderson, M. Kat

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Anemopsis californica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Anemopsis californica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Anemopsis californica

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-10-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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