Yerba Buena

Yerba Buena is a creeping perennial herb with crawling, woody stems reaching nearly 2 meters long. Closer to the roots, the short, tender stalks grow vertically, so the leaves grow in opposite pairs that create a layered, whorl-like appearance near the tip. The pairs of leaves on the tougher, climbing tendrils grow further apart and flat, flush against the ground. The spreading stems, often four-sides, root as they spread, often creating mats. The opposite, paired leaves are softly triangular with deep veins. The thick, stiff leaves have toothed margins. The pairs of small, tubular flowers grow from the branching points of the stalks. Each white flower has two-lips with two fused upper petals and 3 fused lower petals. As they age, the flowers deepen to lavender.

Basic Information

• Member of the Lamiaceae, or mint, family

• Perennial herb

Habitat

• Native to British Columbia south into California and east to Idaho

  • In California, it primarily grows in the northern and central regions, barely extending into SoCal and the Channel Islands

• Found in shady, moist areas of woodlands and chaparral habitats

Ecological Role

• Flowers visited by bees

• The aromatic oils, characteristic of the Mint family, smell good to us, but deter many herbivores

Reproduction

• Blooms from April to September

Alternative Names

• Oregon-tea

Historical Uses

• Native peoples had many uses for this plant:

  • A minty tea was commonly made

  • A decoction of the plant was used to treat colds and fevers by many tribes including the Cahuilla, Luiseno, and Kashaya Pomo

  • Natives in the Mendocino area, and the Pomo and Kashaya Pomo, used a decoction of the stems and leaves used to purify the blood and treat stomach aches

  • Infusion used as a treatment for colic by natives in the Mendocino area

  • The Ohlone used a decoction of the plant for pinworms and a poultice of the warm leaves, applied to jaw or held in the mouth, for toothaches

  • The Kashaya Pomo and Mahuna used it as a sedative

  • The Karok used an infusion for the kidneys and as an aphrodisiac

  • Branches tossed on the fire to create an aromatic disinfectant

  • Skin washes used to treat rashes

  • Used as a perfume

• Early settlers used the plant in a similar manner to the Native people

Additional Information

• "Yerba buena," is an alternate form of the Spanish hierba buena, meaning "good herb"

• San Francisco’s original name was Yerba Buena, after the formerly plentiful herb