Yerba Buena is a perennial, low-growing ground cover herb with a very aromatic menthol smell. It can spread out up to 6 feet (2 metres) across. It grows on the western half of the North American continent, from British Columbia down to California.
It has bright-green, oval or heart-shaped leaves. It blooms with small flowers that are white or purplish.
Clipping the herb causes more branches to form and the plant’s coverage to thicken.
It is mostly used in making a mint flavoured tisane.
Literature & Lore
Yerba Buena is also an island in San Francisco Bay.
Language Notes
The name “Yerba Buena” is derived from the Spanish, “hierba buena” (good herb).