Woolly Blue Curls

Did you know

• The woolly purple calyces that cover the stems and flowers give the plant a distinctly fuzzy, electric appearance unlike almost any other California native.
• It is endemic to the chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitats of southern and central California, found nowhere else on Earth.
• The genus name Trichostema means 'hairy stamen' in Greek, referencing the long, curved stamens that arch dramatically from each flower.
• It is considered difficult to transplant or cultivate outside its native range due to its strict requirement for dry, well-drained soils.
• Hummingbirds and native bees are its primary pollinators, and it is considered a flagship plant for California pollinator gardens.

Color meanings

Uses

• ornamental
• wildlife habitat
• erosion control