Yerba Mansa 10 Seeds Anemopsis californica

Anemopsis californica, commonly known as yerba mansa, is a distinctive perennial herb native to wetlands, alkaline flats, and riparian areas of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it forms spreading colonies through thick, creeping rhizomes. Typically growing 1–2 feet tall, the plant is easily recognized by its rosette of glossy, aromatic, spatula-shaped leaves that often take on reddish hues in cool weather. Its flowering structure is especially unique: what appears to be a single large white flower is actually a cone-shaped spike of tiny, tightly packed blossoms surrounded by 4–9 petal-like white bracts that can blush pink with age. Blooming from spring into summer, these inflorescences rise above the foliage on sturdy stems, creating a striking contrast against the plant’s lush green basal leaves. Adapted to heavy, moist soils yet resilient to seasonal drying, yerba mansa thrives in marshes, ditches, and seeps, where it helps stabilize soil and contributes to wetland biodiversity. Culturally significant to many Native American tribes, the plant has a long history of medicinal use; its aromatic rhizomes and leaves have been applied traditionally for inflammation, respiratory ailments, digestive complaints, and skin irritations, and the dried roots have a spicy, almost pungent fragrance reminiscent of eucalyptus or camphor. In cultivation, Anemopsis californica serves as a visually unusual and ecologically valuable species for water gardens, rain gardens, and restoration projects, offering both ornamental interest and adaptability in challenging, saturated environments.