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Salvia leucantha Cav.
| Family Name: | Lamiaceae (Labiatae) |
| Common Name: | Mexican Sage |
A bushy perennial plant with clusters of purple flowers arranged in whorls. The leaves are lanceolate-shaped and smooth to touch. The flowers attracts birds like sunbirds.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A herbaceous perennial that grows bushy. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are soft, lanceolate and pubescent. |
| Stems | Wooly stem. |
| Flowers | Small rose-purple flowers arranged in whorls along the flower stalk. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Suitable for borders, edging, and gives a positive impact when grown in masses. The plant can also be grown in hanging baskets giving the cascading effect. The flowers attract sunbirds. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Flowerbed / Border, General, Hedge / Screening, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Suitable for Hanging Baskets |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Flowers) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Crenate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
Others
| Master ID | 30815 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5170 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
