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You are here >1Up Info > Wildlife, Animals, and Plants > Plant Species > Shrub > Species: Eriodictyon californicum | Yerba Santa
 

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BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

SPECIES: Eriodictyon californicum | Yerba Santa
GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : Yerba santa is an erect, much-branched, native evergreen shrub from 2 to 8 feet (0.6-2.4 m) in height. The branches are glutinous or resinous; lanceolate leaves are glutinous on top. Mature leaves are often blackened by a sooty fungus [25,27]. The root system is shallow, with multibranching rhizomes. Most of the main roots are confined to the top 3 inches (7.6 cm) of soil [9,20]. The fruit is a small capsule, 0.08 to 0.12 inch (2-3 mm) long, containing two to eight small seeds [25]. RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : Phanerophyte REGENERATION PROCESSES : Sexual: Yerba santa reproduces from seed [25,27,28]. Seedlings may be adundant after fire [37]. They emerge 1 to 3 weeks later than seedlings of other brush species, and experience high mortality [28]. Yerba santa seedlings are poor competitors. Seedlings are particularly sensitive to emerging herbaceous species [6,19,28]. A seedbed rich in herbaceous species will competitively eliminate most emerging yerba santa seedlings [19]. Surviving seedlings grow rapidly. Schultz and Biswell [28] reported seedlings attaining heights of up to 20 inches within the first season. Plants become sexually mature within 2 or 3 years. Most seed falls beneath the parent plant. The seed is very small, and is readily buried beneath the litter layer, duff, and soil to become part of the seedbank. Seed germinates following a disturbance such as fire or mechanical site preparation [6]. Longevity of soil-stored seed is unknown [37]. Vegetative: Yerba santa regenerates asexually through rhizomes, which may be produced as early as the first growing season following seedling establishment [6,11,19,33]. Vegetative reproduction is the most successful method of self-propagation in established communities [6]. Biswell [37] reported that rhizomes may grow as much as 8 feet (2.5 m) in one summer, giving rise to plants every 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm). Vegetatvie growth is not usually this rapid, such rapid grow may occur on ash beds after fire if soil is fertile and moisture adundant. SITE CHARACTERISTICS : Yerba santa occurs on dry, rocky slopes and ridges. It is common on south- or east-facing slopes [25,33]. Elevation: Yerba santa occurs below 5,500 feet (1,676 m), with a mean elevation of 2,120 feet (636 m) [1,25]. Soil: Yerba santa grows in shallow to deep, slightly acidic soil. Soil texture varies from sandy loam to heavy clay [5,6,8,28]. It will tolerate serpentine soil [15,21]. Climate: Yerba santa occurs in a Mediterranean climate with wet, mild winters and hot, dry summers. Snow showers occur during the winter months but usually melt off rapidly [23]. Soil temperatures are frequently below freezing in winter [29]. Associated species: Associated species include chaparral whitethorn (Ceanothus leucodermis), wedgeleaf ceanothus (C. cuneatus), manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), tree poppy (Dendromecon rigida), broadleaf and redstem filaree (Erodium botrys and E. cicutarium), soft chess (Bromus mollis), and foxtail fescue (Festuca megalura) [28,29,36]. (also see SAF cover types) SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : Yerba santa is both a residual colonizer and a survivor in disturbed communities, establishing either from seed or by sprouting from rhizomes [6,24,29]. Mature shrubs are found in early seral communities. It is a diminished survivor, however. It is shade-intolerant, and plants gradually die out as the community matures. Yerba santa is displaced in climax communities by chaparral whitethorn, wedgeleaf ceanothus, and various manzanitas [21]. SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : The seasonal development of yerba santa is as follows [20,25,28]: vegetative growth begins - April flowers in bloom - May to June seed ripe - September seed dissemination - September to November germination - March seedlings emerge - April

Related categories for Species: Eriodictyon californicum | Yerba Santa

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Information Courtesy: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Fire Effects Information System

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