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yerba mansa

Scientific Name: Anemopsis californica

Family: Saururaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       
Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)

Anemopsis californica, commonly known as yerba mansa or lizard tail, is a perennial herb found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The name "yerba mansa" is derived from Spanish, with "yerba" meaning herb and "mansa" being the feminine form of "manso," suggesting mildness or tameness.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant has a pungent rootstock, which may be attractive to some animals.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant's leaves and stems are often described as having edges.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Anemopsis californica
  • Common Names: Yerba mansa, Lizard Tail
  • Family: Saururaceae (Lizard Tail Family)
  • Genus: Anemopsis (monotypic, containing only this species)
  • Synonym: Houttuynia californica

Distribution and Habitat

Yerba mansa thrives in alkaline wetlands, bogs, and wet areas throughout the American Southwest and northern Mexico. Specific locations mentioned include New Mexico, Arizona, and California. It is not drought-tolerant and prefers consistently moist conditions.

Morphology and Growth Habit

  • Yerba mansa is a creeping, herbaceous perennial that spreads via stolons.
  • It forms mats of large, waxy, gray-green leaves that lay flat, resembling a pasture from a distance.
  • The plant typically grows to a height of 6 to 20 inches.

Traditional Uses

  • Yerba mansa has a long history of medicinal use by Native American tribes and settlers in the Southwest.
  • The Kamia of Imperial Valley used the pulverized seeds as a meal, cooked as mush or baked as bread.
  • It is described as having a spicy, warming, and aromatic nature, similar to Bayberry and Myrrh.
  • It is traditionally used as a mucous membrane tonic.

Quirky Facts

  • The plant has been described by local residents as magical, with almost mythical qualities.
  • Yerba mansa is also referenced in literature, such as in Rudolfo Anaya's "Bless Me Ultima," where it is described as one of the herbs kept in a wise woman's medicine bag.

Additional Resources

  • WebMD provides patient medical information on Yerba Mansa.
  • CalPhotos offers images of Anemopsis californica.
  • The Yerba Mansa Project in Albuquerque is a community service endeavor focused on this plant.