Anemopsis californica

Anemopsis californica is a creeping perennial that thrives in wet soils and riverbanks. Its flowering does not go unnoticed. It forms curious spikes of tiny white flowers, surrounded by white bracts. Remarkably floriferous, it is covered in flowers in spring, summer, and autumn, punctuating its evergreen foliage with small snowy candles that sometimes take on beautiful purple hues in the sun. Vigorous and prolific, it can even become invasive in ideal conditions, spreading over tens of metres. It prefers sunny locations and can thrive in any moist soil, even in raised beds or rockeries.

Anemopsis californica, more simply known as California Yerba Mansa, is a creeping plant in the Saururaceae family, related to Houttuynia, with no connection to anemones. It is a perennial evergreen native to the southwest of the United States, Baja California, and Mexico. Its natural habitat consists of wet, salty, or alkaline meadows, sometimes even saline, up to 2000m (6562ft) in altitude. This amazing plant spreads through large underground rhizomes and through stoloniferous stems that produce leafy rosettes at regular intervals. It can grow to be 30 to 45cm (12 to 18in) tall. Eventually, this plant will form immense carpets covering several square metres. Highly floriferous, this Anemopsis produces numerous inflorescences that resemble small conical spikes made up of tiny yellowish and fleshy buds that turn white when they open. Towards the end of the season, the inflorescences often take on a pinkish hue. Each spike is surrounded at the base by a crown of 6 white petaloid bracts. The flowering is continuous from spring to autumn, as long as the soil does not dry out too much, resulting in the formation of a single small brown seed per spike, resembling a grain of pepper. The succulent leaves, arranged in rosettes, are slightly pubescent, sheathing at the base and spatulate. They are lanceolate to cordate in shape and measure from 10 to 20cm (4 to 8in) long, in shades of medium green to dull green, sometimes with a purple tinge in the sun.

Anemopsis californica is an excellent plant for wet to marshy areas and will easily establish itself near water sources, taking into account its significant growth. Only severe frost can defeat this amazing perennial. It possesses interesting purifying properties in large ponds, while displaying unique flowers. Thanks to its spreading habit, it can be used as a ground cover, even in cool rockeries, as long as it is given enough space. This perennial thrives in full sun but tolerates partial shade. It prefers rich and heavy, even very moist soils and can be cultivated on sunny riverbanks as well as in cool and partially shaded woodland areas, or on the edge of partially shaded flower beds alongside epimediums, periwinkle, or Pachysandra. The cut flowers dry easily and can be incorporated into dried bouquets.

The rhizomes of Anemopsis californica are used in traditional medicine by Native Americans, who also decorate their beadwork with its small fruits.