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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Salvia mellifera (Black sage)
Stone, Robert L.

Salvia mellifera Greene

Black sage, California black sage

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

USDA Symbol: same3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

An openly branched, evergreen shrub, from 3-6 ft. tall. Pale blue, whitish or sometimes lavender flowers occur in compact balls.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: S. CA along Coast Ranges
Native Habitat: Dry slopes & flats below 2000 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Various soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Attracts: Butterflies

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 by divisions, rooted sections, or seed sown in fall outdoors.
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: No treatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-03-12
Research By: TWC Staff

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