Micromeria chamissonis - (Benth.)Greene.

(Benth.)Greene.

Yerba Buena

Lamiaceae

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Meise Botanic Garden

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President and Fellows of Harvard College

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President and Fellows of Harvard College

Description

Micromeria chamissonis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Uses

Tea. The dried leaves, steeped in boiling water, make a palatable mint-flavoured tea. The dried leafy spines are used according to other reports.

Medicinal Uses

Anthelmintic Aphrodisiac Blood purifier Digestive Febrifuge Kidney Sedative Tonic. The whole plant is aphrodisiac, blood purifier, mildly digestive, febrifuge, sedative and tonic. An infusion can be used in the treatment of insomnia, colic, upset stomachs, kidney problems, colds and fevers. A decoction of the plant has been used to get rid of pinworms. The decoction has also been used as an aphrodisiac. A poultice of the warm leaves have been applied to the jaw, or the plant held in the mouth, as a treatment for toothache.

Distribution

Western N. America - southern British Columbia to southern California.

Where It Grows

NORTHERN AMERICA: Alaska, British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington,

Cultivation

Prefers an open position in a well-drained soil. Succeeds in poor soils. Plants grow best and live longer when grown in an open sunny position and a dry sandy soil. A prostate plant, the stems forming roots at the leaf axils wherever they come into contact with the soil. The bruised leaves release a most refreshing lemony scent resembling verbena. Micromeria chamissonis (Benth.) Greene is a synonym of Micromeria douglasii Benth. Satureja douglasii (Benth.) Briq. is a synonym of Micromeria douglasii Benth. An evergreen.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Basal cuttings in early summer. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Division of the rooted prostrate stems in the spring.

Other Uses

Essential. The leaves have been placed in clothing as a perfume. A dynamic accumulator gathering minerals or nutrients from the soil and storing them in a more bioavailable form - used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.