Hoita macrostachya

Once common, but now rare, Hoita is a deciduous perennial grows 5-7' tall and wide. It can be found growing throughout California in moist situations or near seasonal streams. Bright green shoots appear in early spring, eventually forming a loose mound topped with purple or wine colored flowers in summer and lasting over a month before the plant slowly goes dormant. Hoita macrostachya can be used as a soil stabilizer along a sunny stream, in a marsh, or at the ponds edge. Native to California and is found only slightly beyond California borders. Hoita macrostachya can be used as a soil stabilizer along a sunny stream, in a marsh, or at the ponds edge. The violet pea flowers on Hoita attract butterflies. The bark fibers of this plant are quite strong and were used by the Concow and Yokia tribes to make thread, hunting bags, and rope. It was favored over Dogbane for its aromatic odor which lingered for several years. Found in moist areas and near seasonal streams. Communitites located in Yellow Pine Forest, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral, Valley Grassland, Wetland-riparian Between 0 and 5000 feet.