salvias

Salvia is a large genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It comprises around 900 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and annuals native to temperate and tropical regions, with a center of diversity in the Mediterranean basin and parts of Central and South America, Central Asia, and Africa. Plants are typically characterized by square stems, opposite leaves, and bilabiate flowers produced in dense inflorescences.

Leaves are usually aromatic, and flowers occur in spikes or racemes that can be blue, purple, red, pink, or white. Flowers are adapted for pollination by bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, depending on species. Habitats range from open meadows and woodlands to rocky slopes and cultivated gardens; many species are drought-tolerant and many are hardy to temperate winters.

Ecological and cultural uses: The best-known species is Salvia officinalis, the common culinary sage, used for seasoning and, in traditional medicine, for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Other species and hybrids are grown ornamentally, such as Salvia splendens (scarlet sage) and Salvia nemorosa (wood sage). Some species are used for essential oils, including Salvia sclarea (clary sage). In cultivation, salvias prefer full sun and well-drained soil; many are drought-tolerant and respond well to pruning after flowering to maintain shape and promote rebloom.