Anemopsis

Anemopsis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Saururaceae. The genus contains a single species, Anemopsis californica, commonly known as Yerba mansa or Lizard tail. This perennial herb is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, where it typically grows in wet or boggy areas, such as streambanks, ditches, and meadows.

Yerba mansa is characterized by its distinctive foliage and flower stalks. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, waxy, and can turn reddish in cooler weather or bright sunlight. The plant produces slender, arching stems that give it a trailing or sprawling habit. In summer, it bears cone-shaped inflorescences composed of small white flowers, each subtended by three conspicuous white bracts. These bracts give the flower cluster a resemblance to a lizard's tail, hence one of its common names.

The plant has a long history of use by Native American tribes for various medicinal purposes, including the treatment of respiratory ailments, skin conditions, and digestive issues. Traditional uses also involved its properties as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. Modern research has investigated some of the phytochemical compounds found in Anemopsis californica for their potential therapeutic benefits. The plant is also sometimes cultivated as an ornamental, particularly in water gardens or moist border plantings. It is known for its adaptability to wet conditions and its attractive, unique appearance.