Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2926654

Vinegar Weed

Trichostema lanceolatum

Also known as Vinegarweed, Camphor Weed, Turpentine Weed

Vinegar weed carpets dry western hillsides and chaparral during the intense heat of late summer, long after most other annual herbs have withered. Covered in sticky glandular hairs, its soft soft-green foliage releases a pungent vinegar and camphor aroma when touched. Long, dramatically curved stamens arch over blue-purple flowers to dust the backs of visiting native bees with pollen.

AromaticNativeFlowering
Vinegar Weed reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Ed Alverson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ed Alverson · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Sunlight
  • Water
  • Soil nutrients
Predators
  • Grasshoppers
  • Browsing beetles
ThreatsAgricultural expansion, invasive plant competition
HabitatsDry fields, chaparral, oak woodlands, pastures
Life spanAnnual (1 year)
Classification
  1. FamilyLamiaceae
  2. SpeciesTrichostema lanceolatum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Sticky foliage oils can cause mild skin irritation; avoid heavy handling.
Why it is dangerous
Glandular hairs produce potent volatile oils and resins that cause mild contact dermatitis or skin redness in sensitive individuals.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Soft, lance-shaped leaves covered in sticky hairs that release a powerful vinegar odor when crushed.
What to do
Observe and smell without heavy handling, or wear garden gloves if clearing plants.
Responsible observation
  • Crush Gently: Lightly brush the leaves with fingertips to experience the strong vinegar scent without harming the plant.
  • Look for Bees: Watch native sweat bees and bumblebees trigger the spring-loaded arched stamens.
Related species
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