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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Salvia lyrata
Salvia lyrata L.
Lyreleaf Sage, Cancer Weed
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: SALY2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Lyreleaf Sage is a strictly upright, hairy perennial, 1-2 ft. tall with a rosette of leaves at the base. The leaves are deeply 3-lobed, with a few simple leaves higher up on the stem. Large basal leaves are purple-tinged in the winter. This species has the typical square stem and 2-lipped blossom of the mints. Its pale-blue to violet, tubular flowers are arranged in whorls around the stem forming an interrupted, terminal spike. Each blossom is about 1 inch long. The 2-lobed lower lip is much longer than the upper, which has 3 lobes, the middle one forming a sort of hood. The sepals are purplish-brown.
Lyreleaf Sage makes a great evergreen ground-cover, with somewhat ajuga-like foliage and showy blue flowers in spring. It will reseed easily in loose, sandy soils and can form a solid cover with regular watering. It even takes mowing and can be walked on. The exposed lower lip of this and other salvias provides an excellent landing platform for bees. When a bee lands, the two stamens are tipped, and the insect is doused with pollen.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Inflorescence: Raceme
Fruit Type: Nut
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Dark green. In winter, veined with dark purple.
Flower: Flowers 1 inch long
Fruit: Tan nutlets.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Pale blue to lavender to white. In Texas, blooms for 4 or 5 weeks in spring.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WVNative Distribution: FL to e. TX, n. to NY, OH, MO, & KS. Eastern United States, Zones 6 to 9
Native Habitat: Rich, rocky, open woods; alluvial areas; wet to dry meadows. Well-drained sand or loam. In Texas, found in sandy soils of open woods, meadows, and clearings in the eastern fourth of the state.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low , MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Acid or calcareous sands, loams, or clays, well-drained or not.
Conditions Comments: Tolerates periodic flooding and can take drought and overwatering.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: An adaptable ground cover or perennial flower that can be mowed and has attractive foliage and blooms.Use Wildlife: Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies , Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root Division , SeedsDescription: 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 in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Generally, a cold-moist stratification period is required for germination of Salvia seed.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Cut back flower stalks after seed dispersal. For a solid cover, plant in rich soil and let it seed out the first year. After that, cut with a line trimmer or mow after blooming.
Find Seed or Plants
Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
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National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FACU | FACU | FAC | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
NPSOT - Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiBibref 765 - McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterResearch Literature
Reslit 969 - Effects of water deficit on photosystem II photochemistry and photoprotection during acclimation of lyreleaf sage (Salvia lyrata L.) plants to high light (2006) S. Munne-Bosch and J. CelaReslit 1954 - Geographic leaf cuticular and morphological variations in Salvia lyrata. L. (cancer-weed) and their possible relationship to salinity (1984) G. K. Sharma
Reslit 2184 - The dynamics of an experimental population of Salvia lyrata: the population cage approach applied to plants (1987) R. G. Shaw and J. Antonovics
Reslit 2326 - Response to density in a wild population of the perennial herb Salvia lyrata: variation among families (1986) R. G. Shaw
Reslit 2407 - Density-dependence in Salvia lyrata: Experimental alteration of densities of established plants (1987) R. G. Shaw
Reslit 2411 - Density-dependence in Salvia lyrata, a herbaceous perennial: the effects of experimental alteration of seed densities (1986) R. G. Shaw and J. Antonovics
This information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
Search More Titles in Research Literature
Additional resources
USDA: Find Salvia lyrata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Salvia lyrata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Salvia lyrata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-24Research By: TWC Staff, LAL