General: Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica) is a large-leafed, perennial herb that grows in dense stands on moist and wet soils around springs and seeps. The large, white “flowers” have an unusual cone-shaped structure in the center.

Yerba Mansa is a fairly common component of shady, wet vegetation communities in the Lower Sonoran (Creosote-Bursage Flats) and Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub) life zones. However, shady, wet vegetation communities are uncommon, making the species uncommon overall.

Family: Lizard's-tail (Saururaceae). This unusual species is the only member of the Lizard's-tail (Saururaceae) family.

Plant Form: Perennial herb growing in dense stands from thick, woody rhizomes in wet, shady areas.

Height: Leaves 12 to 14 inches high; flower stem to about 20 inches high.

Stems: Flower stems 6 to 20 inches high, naked.

Leaves: Petioles basal, 4-8 inches long, hairy; leaves 5(2-6) inches long, oblong.

Flowers: Blooms spring through fall. Inflorescence conical, 2-inches long, formed of many, tiny flowers; bracts petal-like, 1-inch long, behind cone, white to reddish. With the large bracts and conical inflorescence, the entire structure resembles a single flower.

Seeds: Fruit: berry-like capsule.

Habitat: Moist areas around seeps and springs, including saline and alkaline soils.

Elevation: Near sea level to 5,500 feet.

Distribution: Southwestern U.S. from California to Utah and west Texas, south into northwestern Mexico.

Where to Find: Look for Yerba Mansa at Calico Basin, Wheeler Camp Spring, Rogers Spring, and similar places.