Brickellia californica
Brickellia californica
Synonyms: Coleosanthus californicus var. wrightii, Coleosanthus tener, Coleosanthus californicus var. tener, Coleosanthus axillaris, Coleosanthus californicus var. normalis, Coleosanthus californicus var. lobulatus, Bulbostylis californica, Brickellia wrightii, Brickellia wrightii var. tenera, Brickellia wrightii var. reniformis, Coleosanthus californicus, Coleosanthus albicaulis, Brickellia californica var. normalis, Brickellia albicaulis, Brickellia californica var. lobulata, Brickellia californica var. jepsonii, Brickellia tenera, Brickellia reniformis, Brickellia californica var. tenera, Eupatorium axillare, Brickellia californica var. reniformis, Coleosanthus reniformis, Coleosanthus wrightii, Coleosanthus melissifolius
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Brickellia californica (Torr. & A.Gray) A.Gray (Asteraceae), California brickellbush, is an aromatic, much-branched perennial shrub or subshrub of western North America, ranging from Oregon south through California and east across the Great Basin and Southwest into Texas and northern Mexico. Plants reach 0.3-1.5 m tall, with slender, brittle, often woody-based stems bearing alternate, triangular to broadly ovate leaves 1-4 cm long with crenate to serrate margins, glandular-puberulent surfaces and a strong resinous fragrance when crushed. The narrowly cylindric flower heads, 8-12 mm long, are borne in leafy panicles and contain 8-25 cream to greenish-white discoid florets subtended by overlapping striate phyllaries; ray florets are absent. Achenes are slender and ribbed, topped by a pappus of barbellate white bristles. It grows on dry rocky slopes, washes, chaparral and pinyon-juniper woodland from low to mid elevations.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
The Diegueno of La Huerta, Baja California, used Brickellia californica as a febrifuge (Hinton, 1975). The Kayenta Navajo employed the plant as a ceremonial medicine, as a dermatological aid, as an emetic, and as a pediatric aid (Wyman & Harris, 1951). The Ramah Navajo used it as a cough medicine and as a febrifuge (Vestal, 1952). The Sanel (Pomo) of Mendocino County, California, used the plant as a substitution food (Chestnut, 1902).
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.