Description

Yerba mansa is a highly adaptable member of moist plant communities in the southern half of California (about the SF Bay Area south). It grows in an expanding patch of large lance-shaped leaves. The white flowers appear atop long stalks for most of the spring and summer. The flowers are unusual in structure, looking much like a plantain flower. The minute flowers cover a cone surrounded by white petal-like bracts. After going completely dormant in the late summer, yerba mansa will expand into available moisture both underground, and by above ground rhizomes (lizard tails) upon which plantlets will appear. Expansion may be limited by available water. Yerba mansa is adaptable to a variety of soils and sun exposures. It may be appreciated in a large pot, which allows it to be constrained and put away during dormancy. A potted plant will have to be thinned regularly to prevent overcrowding.