Trichostema lanceolatum | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lamiaceae |
Genus: | Trichostema |
Species: | T. lanceolatum |
Binomial name | |
Trichostema lanceolatum | |
Trichostema lanceolatum, with the common names vinegarweed and camphor weed, is an annual flowering herb of the mint family native to western North America. [1] [2] [3]
The common name 'vinegarweed' originated due to its foliage containing volatile oils that have a strong vinegar odor. The oils have phytotoxic properties, which help the plant compete by killing or injuring other plant species. [4]
The plant is native to the Western United States from the Pacific Coast Ranges in Washington and Oregon, through California, and to northern Baja California state in México. It is found from above sea level to 2,200 metres (7,200 ft) in elevation. [1]
California habitats it grows in include: chaparral; coastal sage scrub; and Northern, Southern, and Foothill oak woodlands. [2] [5]
Trichostema lanceolatum is an annual herbaceous wildflower, growing under 1 metre (3.3 ft) in height. [1] [6]
The soft-hairy foliage has lanceolate leaves, 0.8–3 inches (2.0–7.6 cm) long. In hot weather the vinegar smell of the plant becomes intense as the oils in the tissues permeate the air.
The bilaterally symmetrical flowers, of pale blue to purple, are in long clusters in leaf axils on short green stems. The blooming period is from August to October. [2]
Plants reproduce only by seed that are primarily dispersed by falling to the ground below the parent plant. [7]
The plant is an important a pollen source for native bees and other insects. When a pollinating insect alights on the lower lobes of the corolla, and inserts its mouth parts into the nectar-containing lower section of the same tube, the narrow corolla portion above is straightened and snaps rapidly downward brushing pollen onto the insect's back. [6]
The volatile oils make it unpalatable to grazing and foraging animals. [7]
The indigenous peoples of California used this as a traditional medicinal plant, as a cold and fever remedy, a pain reliever, and a flea insect repellent. [8] [9]
Artemisia tridentata, commonly called big sagebrush, Great Basin sagebrush or simply sagebrush, is an aromatic shrub from the family Asteraceae.
Trichostema lanatum, the 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.
Parkinsonia florida, the blue palo verde, is a species of palo verde native to the Sonoran Deserts in the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. Its name means "green pole or stick" in Spanish, referring to the green trunk and branches, that perform photosynthesis.
Lomatium californicum is a species of plant related to the carrot and the parsnip which is known by the common names California rock parsnip, celery weed, and California lomatium.
Allium obtusum is a species of wild onion known by the common name red Sierra onion or subalpine onion. It is native to eastern California and western Nevada. It is a common plant in the granite foothills and mountains of the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Range, from Tulare County to Siskiyou County, from elevations of 800 to 3,500 metres. In Nevada, it is reported only from Washoe County in the northwestern part of the state.
Arctostaphylos montaraensis, known by the common name Montara manzanita, is a species of manzanita in the family Ericaceae.
Cordylanthus nidularius is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae known by the common name Mt. Diablo bird's beak.
Navarretia sinistra is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name Alva Day's pincushionplant.
Leptosiphon liniflorus is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name narrowflower flaxflower.
Psorothamnus arborescens is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Mojave indigo bush.
Trichostema laxum is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, known by the common name turpentine weed from the foliage's scent.
Trichostema micranthum is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, known by the common name smallflower bluecurls.
Trichostema oblongum, known by the common names oblong bluecurls and mountain bluecurls, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family.
Trichostema ovatum is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name San Joaquin bluecurls.
Trichostema parishii is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Parish's bluecurls.
Trichostema rubisepalum is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Hernandez's bluecurls.
Trichostema ruygtii, with the common name Napa bluecurls, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family. It was first described to science in 2006.
Trichostema simulatum is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Siskiyou bluecurls.
Trifolium barbigerum is a species of clover known by the common name bearded clover.
Purshia glandulosa is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common names antelope bitterbrush, desert bitterbrush, Mojave antelope brush, and cliff-rose.