Salvia columbariae
Salvia columbariae | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lamiaceae |
Genus: | Salvia |
Species: | S. columbariae
|
Binomial name | |
Salvia columbariae |
Salvia columbariae is an
Description
Salvia columbariae grows 10 to 50 cm (3.9 to 19.7 in) tall. Its stem hairs are generally short and sparse in distribution. It has oblong-ovate basal leaves that are 2 to 10 cm (0.79 to 3.94 in) long. The leaves are pinnately dissected and the lobes are irregularly rounded. The inflorescence is more or less scapose, meaning it has a long peduncle that comes from the ground level that has bracts. The bracts are round and awn-tipped. There are usually 1 or 2 clusters of flowers within the inflorescence. The calyx is 8 to 10 mm (0.31 to 0.39 in) long and the upper lip is unlobed but has 2 (sometimes 3) awns. The lower lip is about twice the size of the upper lip. The flower color can be pale blue to blue and purple tipped. The stamens of the plant are slightly exserted. The fruit of S. columbariae is a nutlet that is tan to grey in color and 1.5 to 2 mm (0.059 to 0.079 in) long.[1]
Varieties
- Salvia columbariae var. columbariae Benth. – California sage, chia
- Salvia columbariae var. ziegleri Munz – Ziegler's sage[3]
Habitat
Salvia columbariae can be found in dry undisturbed sites, chaparral, and coastal sage scrub. It generally grows at elevations lower than 2,500 m (8,200 ft). In cultivation, it prefers good drainage, sun, and dry weather.[1]
Uses
Medicinal uses
The Cahuilla used the columbariae Benth. variety as a disinfectant by grinding the seeds to mush and applying it to infections as a poultice.[4][5] The Cahuilla, Ohlone, Kawaiisu, and Mahuna used the gelatinous seeds to cleanse out foreign matter in the eyes. The seeds were placed in the eyes for infections and inflammation, and during sleep, they were tucked underneath the eyelids to remove sand particles.[5] The Ohlone also used it to reduce fevers by consuming the seeds, and the Kumeyaay chewed the seeds on journeys by foot to give strength.[5]
Food
The Cahuilla, Kawaiisu,
Building material
The Mahuna made it into a fiber and covered their dwellings with it.[5]
References
- ^ a b c "Salvia columbariae". in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora. Jepson Herbarium; University of California, Berkeley. 2018. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
- ^ Sullivan, Steven. K. (2018). "Salvia columbariae". Wildflower Search. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
- ^ Salvia columbariae. ITIS.
- ^ "Temalpakh Ethnobotanical Garden". malkimuseum.org. Archived from the original on 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b c d e "Salvia columbariae Benth". herb.umd.umich.edu.
External links
- Media related to Salvia columbariae at Wikimedia Commons
- Salvia columbariae in the CalPhotos photo database, University of California, Berkeley
- "Salvia columbariae". Calflora. Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database.
- "Salvia columbariae". Plants for a Future.