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Salvia columbariae
Salvia columbariae Benth.
California Sage, Chia Sage, Golden Chia, Desert Chia, Chia
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: SACO6
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Tiny, blue flowers are aggregated in several balls along the square stems of this 4-24 in. annual. The leaves are mostly basal, once or twice pinnate and velvety. California Sage smells distinctly skunky.
Chia (pronounced chee'-ah) is the common name for several Salvia species from which Indians made pinole, a meal ground from parched seeds, as well as atole, a gruel made by adding water or other liquid to chia flour.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Fruit: Nutlets.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: BlueBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , NM , NV , UTNative Distribution: S. CA to extreme s.w. UT, AZ & Sonoran Desert
Native Habitat: Open, dry, disturbed places
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, well-drained soils.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Popular with bees.Use Food: Seeds eaten as grain, whole or ground. If soaked in water, seeds will absorb the moisture and transform it into a gelatinous coating, creating a chia gel which was consumed by indigenous people for energy, mixed with other grains and meals for a gruel-like pinole, and has been rediscovered in recent years. This is one of a few species of Salvia used in this way, the best known of which is the Mexican Salvia hispanica.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies , Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes
Value 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 seeds.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 dry in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Seed treatment varies among ecotypes. Generally dry storage and a period of stratification aids germination.
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:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant SocietyWebref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Salvia columbariae in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Salvia columbariae in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Salvia columbariae
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-24Research By: