Can you feel it? That distinct October charm – a crisp chill sending shivers down your spine, leaves gracefully donning their autumn attire and the encroaching darkness as daylight slips away. For those who revel in the spirit of the season, October paints a picture of pumpkins, black cats and bubbling cauldrons. But did you know that well before department stores turned these icons into Halloween must-haves, humans were already deeply entrenched in the world of the liminal and the occult, often through the medium of plants?
Throughout the annals of history, people have harnessed the mysterious properties of plants in their rituals. They’d tuck rosemary into funeral bouquets, concealing the somber scent of death, or place fennel in keyholes to ward off wandering spirits. The use of plants in these age-old practices is as ancient as the ages themselves.
To set the mood for the season, we’ve compiled a selection of our favorite eerie California native plants. From the enigmatic “witches’ hair” to the captivating “devil’s trumpet,” we invite you to discover the hidden magic that may be right outside your door.
Spooky LA Plants
Mugwort – Revered as a classic witch’s herb with strong ties to the moon, dreams, divination and protective magic, mugwort is a humble, low-growing riparian herb. Its leaves bear a silvery hue on their undersides, evoking the essence of moonlight. The California native variant, Artemisia douglasiana, boasts a rich history of use among Indigenous communities in the western United States, with applications spanning from treating poison oak and bronchitis to warding off restless spirits.
Mexican Elder – In the old English countryside, a prevailing belief cautioned against harvesting branches from the elder tree without first seeking permission from the resident spirit, lest misfortune befall the transgressor. Ironically, this very tree was also seen as a safeguard against dark magic. People would hang elder leaves on their doors and windows to ward off witches. Likewise, green elder branches were set on top of graves to protect the deceased from evil spirits. In Southern California, the Mexican elderberry grows as a robust shrub or small tree. Unlike the better-known Sambucus nigra with its dark, almost black berries (earning them the folk name “devil’s eye”), Mexican elderberries appear pale blue due to their powdery white coating. Indigenous traditions included crafting soothing teas from dried blossoms and applying elder topically for various ailments, such as sprains, sore joints or itching. A word of caution: excluding the flowers and ripe fruits, all parts of the plant contain cyanic glycosides, which can lead to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. Harvesting should not be attempted without proper preparation or training.
California Dodder – Known by various folk names like “witch’s hair,” “love-vine,” and “devil’s shoelace,” California dodder is a botanical vampire of sorts. This parasitic plant resembles thin, orange-brown spaghetti and lacks roots for water and nutrients or chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Instead, it infiltrates other plants to use as hosts and siphon off its nutrition needs. What’s interesting is that although a single dodder can envelop its host entirely and even infect multiple hosts simultaneously, it seldom proves fatal to its native hosts. This intricate relationship ensures the survival of the host species and provides a continuous supply for the dodder’s parasitic tendencies. Among the indigenous Kumeyaay people, the use of dodder growing on buckwheat served as a historical remedy for black widow spider bites.
Sacred Datura – Sacred datura is a striking, night-blooming white flower that has been embraced by holy men, medicine practitioners and witches alike for both medicine and ceremony. The pounded root was said to be effective in treating cuts, bruises and gunshot wounds. Even gamblers were rumored to carry a root for luck. A member of the “nightshade” family, alongside familiar crops like tomatoes and potatoes, Datura wrightii’s fragrant flowers unfurl at twilight, only to gracefully close by midmorning. A highly toxic plant, Datura was utilized by medicine men among the indigenous Chumash, Luiseño, and Kumeyaay communities to induce hallucinatory experiences during rites of passage. These visions unveiled spirit guardians, often known as “dream helpers,” providing guidance for the individual’s impending journey.
White Sage – Today, white sage has gained widespread recognition, partly due to the resurgence of “new age” spiritual practices wherein the leaves are burned for “spiritual cleansing” and dispelling negativity. However, indigenous peoples from Southern California were the first recorded to burn white sage ritually, employing it to purge unwanted dark energies and facilitate communication with the spirit realm. Beyond its ceremonial role, white sage also held medicinal value. It was used to make eyewash teas and decongestants. Additionally, people carried white sage leaves in their mouths or under their arms to mask their scent while hunting. Sadly, the increasing demand for white sage has led to its poaching and overharvesting, threatening the sacred plant. The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) reports a 50% loss in white sage populations due to urbanization alone. To support indigenous-led preservation efforts for native species, CNPS recommends boycotting wildcrafted sage products, exploring local sage sources, growing native plants and connecting with the cultural legacies of your land to show support.
As the nights get longer and the season grows colder, now is the perfect opportunity to step outside and reconnect with the natural spirits of the land. Understanding their mysteries not only deepens your knowledge but also immerses you in the captivating tapestry of LA’s natural world.
Happy boo-tanical adventures!
We invite you to join us in celebrating LA’s enchanting world of spooky plants. Share your eerie encounters, magical moments, or favorite plant stories with us at lastormwater@lacity.org.
