<Native Plant Garden>

Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation

Carlsbad, CA

Native Plant Garden (Under Construction)

The earliest inhabitants of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon were the native Indians who lived on the shores and upland areas of the watershed. There were no grocery or drugstores during these times. All of their food, medicine and shelter came from the plants or animals of the lagoon and coastal areas. Although there was an ample supply of fish and wildlife, the majority of the food they consumed came from the native plants. Many of the native plant medicinal applications first discovered by the Indian people have been successfully commercialized by modern day pharmaceutical companies and are used by millions of people around the world.

Our native garden contains over 750 plants, comprising over 50 different species. There are eight different types of sage plants, five varieties of manzanita, four species of wild lilac, and a variety of buckwheat, coffeeberry, currants, honeysuckle and hummingbird fuschia plus many others! All of our native plants are drought tolerant and require very little water. In fact, a good way to kill a native plant is by overwatering it.

Although modern day Californians do not rely on native plants for food or medicine as native people once did, there are many other reasons why the cultivation and use of native plants is important. The use of native plants benefits our ecology by promoting biodiversity and reducing the use of water. Growing native plants in our backyard gardens helps to restore some of the natural biodiversity of southern California which has been drastically reduced through development and urbanization. Restoring balance to our ecosystems benefits wildlife, many of whom are dependent on the habitat provided by native vegetation. Once established, native plants require very little irrigation. Using drought tolerant natives conserves one of our most precious and scarce natural resources and saves money on water costs as well!

The following is a sampling of some of the plants found in our native garden and some of their early uses:

YARROW (Achillea Millefolium) – to alleviate fevers, headaches, toothaches and as a cold remedy; also as an aid in childbirth; has a legendary ability to halt the flow of blood. Cream-colored flowers are in 3- 4"clusters; native to the western U.S. and is drought and swamp tolerant; cottontails love to munch!
MANZANITA (Arctostaphylos Harmony/Sunset/Austin Griffiths) - ranks 2nd only to the oak trees in terms of important food source. It has been said that an acre of manzanita thicket would yield more nourishment to human life (if the berries were all plucked) then the best acre of wheat ever grown in California, after the expenses of cultivation. Berries used for food and drink; seeds ground into meal to make mush or cakes; used to treat maladies from diarrhea, to headaches and poison oak rashes. Makes an excellent groundcover and is great for a bird or butterfly garden. Forty-three different species in California.
CALIFORNIA LILAC (Ceanothus Concha/Yankee Point/Maritimus/Thrysiflorus Repens) – Many varied uses: soap and detergent, deodorant, as a salve for sores and burns, for relief of coughs, arthritis, fevers, flu, and even diaper rash! One of the most fragrant and colorful shrubs in California. Very drought tolerant, prefer very little water, vary in habitat from groundcover to trees.
SAGES (Salvia Apiana/Munzii/Spathacea/Gracias/Mellifera Repens/Leuchophylla “Point Sal”) One of the most sacred native plants for the Indian people. Used in ceremonies and as a cleansing herb. Also used for deodorant and shampoo. Medicinal uses: reduce eye irritation; alleviate colds, sore throat and chronic coughs; internal cleanser; as a salve for sores; for heart disorders; for measles and kidney troubles; as a bath for paralysis and earaches; treatment for epilepsy. Food uses: seeds ground into flour to make mush; as a spice for flavoring. Depending on the flora there are 17 to 18 sages native to California. Flowers range from pink, red, blue, purple and white. Sages are visited by hummingbirds, bumblebees, and wasps. (Hummingbirds kill for sages. They defend the sages in their territories like they are the only water in the desert.)
BUCKWHEAT (Erigonium Parvifolium) The “Boss” of all medicines, used as “Life Medicine” by native peoples. Range of applications: for high blood pressure and hardening of arteries; as a salve for rashes and skin cuts; to alleviate coughs and colds; for rheumatism, sore mouths, aching joints and muscles; as a lotion for pimples; for head and stomach aches and general “female complaints.” As food: seeds ground into mush or baked for bread. Wood used to pierce ears. The buckwheats are very important butterfly plants and one of the pillars of their communities. The flowers, leaves and seeds are all used by all the smaller animals.
COFFEEBERRY (Rhamnus Eve Case/San Bruno) Considered almost sacred by early Indians and settlers as well for its many wondrous medicinal cures. Preparation was simple: boil a handful of bark in a gallon of water until mixture “tasted like wine.” Reputed to cure complex ailments as well as simple constipation or to improve appetite and restore general health. Coffeeberry likes sun to part shade and has low water requirements. Creamy white flowers are followed by dark purple fruit. Attracts birds, butterflies, beneficial insect
COAST LIVE OAK (Quercus Agrifolia) A picturesque tree and considered the “crown jewel” of California’s native flora. Considered sacred by native people because of the importance of the acorn as their main source of food. One Indian family would gather as much as 500 pounds of acorns for a year’s supply of food. Acorns were ground into flour and also used to make soup and coffee. Bark was used in many medicinal compounds; as a wash for sores; for coughs and sore throats; as a disinfectant; for diarrhea. Wood was used for furniture and baskets. Mature oaks in the wild are an important element in the habitat as they stabilize soil on slopes, provide an organic-rich leaf litter for the soil and serve as “mother” to hundreds of insects, birds and small mammals, providing food and shelter with their giant root and branch system. Great variation in size of different oak species and in the shape of their leaves.
TOYON (Heteromeles Arbutifolia) Also known as California Holly and Christmas Berry because of its bright, scarlet berries. Became famous when the city of Hollywood was so named due to large numbers of this plant growing in the hills of the original subdivision. Berries are bitter if eaten raw, therefore they were commonly roasted, boiled or steamed; also made into a cider. A tea from the bark was used as a treatment for stomachaches and general aches and pains.
DEERGRASS (Muhlenbergia Rigens) Long grasses are used as foundation material for coiled baskets. Gathering of grasses by native people can be a ritual and must be done at precisely right moment when neither too green or over-ripe. Grows on banks of seasonal creeks. Very fast growing and hearty.
BASKET RUSH (Juncus Textillis) Very important plant to the native people for basketry. Ornamental and showy; commonly used as a bank stabilizer and found in stream beds and other moist places
CALIFORNIA SAGEBRUSH (Artimesia Californica) Strong aromatic smell, described as a cross between sage and camphor; tea brewed from this plant was a ceremonial drink as well as a medicine, a potion that prepared young girls for puberty and assisted them throughout the many stages of womanhood; leaves used as remedy for common cold; treatment for rheumatic aches and pains. Important plant for wildlife; habitat for endangered California Gnatcatcher and a favorite for quail.