| Trichostema lanatum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Subfamily: | Teucrioideae |
| Genus: | Trichostema |
| Species: | T. lanatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Trichostema lanatum Benth. |
|
Trichostema lanatum (woolly bluecurls) is a small evergreen shrub or sub-shrub native to arid coastal chaparral regions of California and the northern parts of Baja California.
Trichostema lanatum is many-branched and grows to 1.5 m (5 ft) tall, with narrow, pointed green leaves. The smooth-petaled blue flowers are borne in dense clusters, with the stem and calyces covered in woolly hairs of blue, pink, or white.
Spanish explorers in California called the plant romero, the Spanish term for rosemary, and that common name is still sometimes used.[1]
It is sometimes used as an ornamental plant, and a few cultivars have been developed.[1] It attracts hummingbirds and bumblebees.[2]
It is aromatic and glandular. Native Americans used it for a variety of medicinal and other purposes.[3] It makes a flavorful tea.[1]