Yerba Buena
Clinopodium douglasii
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © abinz (iNaturalist #92520292)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Clinopodium
- Species:
- Clinopodium douglasii
- USDA Symbol:
- CLDO2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 10 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, purple
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black-tailed bumble (Bombus melanopygus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to coastal regions, prefers organic matter
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow and do not cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: For seeds: Soak in fresh water overnight, then cold stratify in peat in the refrigerator until germination begins. Check weekly. For cuttings: Strike in flats containing 1:1 Perlite/Vermiculite, 0.5 inch deep. Lay cuttings horizontally ensuring each internode is covered with media.
Establishment: Seeds are collected between May 1st and August 1st, while cuttings are collected on May 21st. The species is found below 3,000 feet elevation, from British Columbia to southern California and Santa Catalina Island. Transplant survival averages 75% for seeds and 90% for cuttings.
Source: npn.rngr.net