Our Story and the Amazing Plant Behind the CNHF Logo
Yerba Santa (Spanish, and the accepted common name)
Samahl jpilh (Kumeyaay)
Palwut (Luiseño)
Hoohohechot (Tongva)
Eriodictyon crassifolium (the scientific name) was assigned by the British botanist George Bentham in California between 1836 – 1842. He described the plant in “The Botany of the Voyage H.M.S Sulphur”, published in London, 1844. This original botanical name has remained unchanged to this day.
The leaves are being used in the logo of the California Native Horticultural Foundation.
The Spanish called it yerba santa, (holy herb) because they were amazed by the various ways they saw the plants being used by the native peoples of the region. There are approximately twelve species of Eriodictyon, and apparently most or all have been helpful since time immemorial. The leaves make this plant a veritable healing pharmacy. They can be boiled fresh or dry to make a bitter tea taken as a cure for coughs, colds, sore throat, catarro and asthma, as well as tuberculosis and rheumatism. A weaker tea can be taken regularly and is believed to be a blood thinner. A liniment is used as a wash to reduce fever. Sores on both people and animals are treated with a poultice pounded out of the fresh leaves. A very strong solution from the boiled leaves will ease sore and fatigued limbs. Rheumatism is treated topically with a hot compress made from the young stems and leaves. The leaves of some species are smoked like tobacco and they can be chewed to relieve thirst as one goes along the trails. Research at the molecular level is being conducted today, which may reveal significant healing results in the future.
Eriodictyon crassifolium makes a fine landscape specimen for a large garden space, and its distinctive aromatic leaves will fill the air with a sweet healing perfume, especially in rain or on a hot day. The species is very difficult to propagate, making it a real treasure when one is able to find it in a nursery.
The name, Erio (G) = wool, dicty (G) = net, crass (L) = thick, folium (L) = leaf.
Eriodictyon crassifolium, thick-leaved wooly net.
Scientific names are largely composed of Greek (G) and Latin (L) roots.
Stacked leaves, photo by Michelle Matthews. This interesting piece got us thinking.
Aesthetic botanical illustration by Emma Fryer, commissioned by CNHF, Thank you Emma!
Our font inspiration came from this 1968 title, definitely a classic old California vibe.
Our plant inspiration came from the yerba santa at Torrey Pines, a place of healing.
The CNHF logo was designed by Daniel Evans, Flipside Designs, Thank you Danny!