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Salvia mellifera
Salvia mellifera Greene
Black Sage, California Black Sage
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: SAME3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
An openly branched, evergreen shrub, from 3-6 ft. tall. Pale blue, whitish or sometimes lavender flowers occur in compact balls.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
Fruit: Nutlets.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Pale bluish lavender to almost white.
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: S. CA along Coast Ranges
Native Habitat: Dry slopes & flats below 2000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Description: Various soils.
Benefit
Attracts: ButterfliesValue to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis 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 on display at the following locations: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. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Additional resources
USDA: Find Salvia mellifera in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Salvia mellifera in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Salvia mellifera
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-21Research By: TWC Staff