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Native Plant Database

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Salvia dorrii (Purple sage)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Salvia dorrii (Kellogg) Abrams

Purple sage, Gray ball sage, Dorri sage, Desert sage

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

USDA Symbol: SADO4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A many-branched sub-shrub, 2-3 ft. tall and often broader than high, with numerous silvery-gray leaves and rigid, often spiny branches. Deep blue-violet flowers rise in long, showy, spike-like clusters above the silvery foliage. A broad bush with many rigid, spine-tipped branches, silvery leaves, and bright blue to blue-violet bilaterally symmetrical flowers.

It is this sage, not sagebrush, that is referred to in Zane Greys classic Western, Riders of the Purple Sage. It is a handsome plant, pretty in leaf as well as in flower.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , ID , NV , OR , UT , WA
Native Distribution: WA & OR, e. of the Cascades, to CA, e. to s.w. ID, UT & AZ
Native Habitat: Dry, open scabland & sagebrush areas
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Dry, perfectly drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Propagate from seeds or softwood cuttings.
Seed Collection: Collect the seeds as the capsules begin to dry but before they have dropped the seeds. Spread seeds in thin layers to dry a few days before storing in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Generally, a cold-moist stratification period is required for germination of Salvia seed.
Commercially Avail: yes

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Salvia dorrii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Salvia dorrii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Salvia dorrii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-04-30
Research By: TWC Staff

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