Mint Family – Lamiaceae
Actual flower size: 1/2 inch long
Yerba Buena is also known as Oregon-tea. Older Latin names for Yerba Buena are Satureja Douglasii and Micromeria douglasii.
Plant Description: Yerba Buena has stems that are up to 36 inches long, creeping, somewhat woody, and frequently rooted at nodes. The leaves are opposite, 1 inch long, oval, deeply veined, green above, purplish below, usually with a few blunt teeth.
Flower Description: A single, 1/2 inch long flower grows from the leaf axils. The flowers are usually white, but can be pale blue-lavender or pink. The two upper lobes are up-right. The 3 lobes of the lower lip are wavy-edged and almost equal in size. The flower has a hairy throat and four stamens, 2 short and 2 long. Both kinds of stamen have double anthers which become dark crimson.
Ecology: Yerba Buena grows in open, coniferous woods at lower to middle elevations.
Notes:
- Yerba Buena has a scent reminiscent of spearmint and is used to make tea and for medicinal purposes.
- It was named the “Good Plant” by early Spanish priests in California.
Yerba Buena Photo Gallery
Photo Information: #1359. #1358, #1903 and #1907 were taken on July 3, 2012 on the Whisky Jack Trail, Elwha River, US 101, Port Angeles WA.
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