Pronounciation: Ann-ee-MOP-sis cal-i-for NI-ca

Hardiness zones
Sunset 11-24
USDA 7-11

Landscape Use: Subtle accent plant and ground cover for natural and engineered wetland "riparian" landscapes, decorative ponds, streambeds, seeps or around other water features. Sometimes used as a substitute for turf grass or an informal ground cover in parks.

Form & Character: Low, prostrate and spreading ground cover, mesic, wet, green, aggressive, pure.

Growth Habit: Evergreen to partially deciduous, herbaceous perennial, moderately vigorous and spreading by stolons and underground rhizomes (stems that produce adentitious roots and shoots) to 10 feet wide. Ranges from 4- to 30-inches tall, generally under 18-inches tall.

Foliage/Texture: Large, waxy, dull-green, basal, clasping leaves with prominent veination, leaves mostly lie flat on the ground, sometimes aromatic. Leaves and above ground stems sometimes develop red stains, eventually turning bright red during the fall; medium coarse texture.

Flowers & Fruits: Yerba mansa plants grow complex, conical flower heads comprised of 4 to 9 large (1.5-inches long) white or pale red bracts at the base above which is a spike bearing tiny greenish-yellow flowers that are each subtended by a small white bract; fruits are non-descript, but contain many darkened, edible seeds.

Seasonal Color: Flowers during spring to early summer, rarely during fall.

Temperature: Will experience freeze damage, but will quickly recover. Also, struggles during the highest summer heat, especially if in full sun. Overall though, yerba mansa is generally tolerant of Phoenix heat and cold so long as water is near and plentiful.

Light: Partial shade to full sun (no western sun).

Soil: Tolerant of most soil types.

Watering: Yerba mansa requires a moistened to damp soil environment that is regularly and frequently irrigated or else near sources of surface water such as a pond or stream.

Pruning: None, except to rouge portions of the plant to control spread into unwanted landscaped areas. If used as a lawn substitute or park ground cover, then it can be occcasionally mowed.

Propagation: Easy by division or seed.

Disease and Pests: Bacterial leaf spotting, otherwise generally pest free.

Additional comments: Yerba mansa is a unique ground cover plant for informal and natural appearing landscaped riparian areas. Beware of its potential to spread! The seeds taste similar to black pepper.

Biomedical uses: Yerba mansa is a plant of many herbal and biomedical uses including anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activity.

Taxonomic tidbit: The common name 'yerba mansa' in Spanish means "calming herb" (yerba = "herb"; mansa = "calm or tame").