This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - raw or cooked. A strong, warm, aromatic taste and odour[1]. They are used mainly as a flavouring in cooked foods[2][3][4][5], they are similar to sage (S. officinalis)[6]. The leaves can be dipped in batter and cooked to make delicious fritters[7][1].

Flowers - raw. A pleasant taste, they can be sprinkled on chopped salads[7][8], or made into a tea[8].

The plant is sometimes used as a hop substitute in flavouring beer, imparting considerable bitterness and intoxicating properties[9] - it either makes people dead drunk or insanely exhilarated[1]. The leaves have also been used to adulterate wine and give it a muscatel flavour[1].

Unknown part

Flowers

Leaves

Material uses

An essential oil is obtained from the flowering stems. Called 'Muscatel oil', it has an ambergris aroma and is used in soaps, cosmetics, as a fixative in perfumery etc[6][10][11][12][8]. A drying oil is obtained from the seed, it is used in varnishes, paints etc[11].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Clary has been perceived both as a weaker version of sage (Salvia officinalis) and also as a significant herb in its own right[13]. An antispasmodic and aromatic plant, it is used mainly to treat digestive problems such as wind and indigestion[13]. It is also regarded as a tonic, calming herb that helps relieve period pain and pre-menstrual problems. Owing to its oestrogen-stimulating action, it is most effective when levels of this hormone are low[13].

The whole plant, and especially the leaves, is antispasmodic, appetizer, aromatic, astringent, balsamic, carminative, pectoral and tonic[9]. It is useful in treating disorders of the stomach and kidneys and is a valuable remedy for complaints associated with the menopause, particularly hot flushing[9][13]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[8]. The leaves can be used fresh or dried, for drying they are harvested before the plant comes into flower[8]. The seed forms a thick mucilage when it is soaked for a few minutes in water. This is efficacious in removing small particles of dust from the eyes[9][8].

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Euphoric'[14].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - can be sown in situ during spring[6]. Alternatively seed can be sown in August/September to overwinter, it will then produce larger plants Thinnings can be transplanted[6]. The seed remains viable for 3 years[6].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Salvia sclarea. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position[15]. Thrives on any ground that is not too wet[9]. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet[15].

Hardy to about -20°c[16]. A biennial or short-lived perennial[16]. The flowers can be air-dried and used as everlasting flowers[15]. A very ornamental plant, it is strongly aromatic and is sometimes cultivated for its essential oil, there are some named varieties[11][7]. When bruised, the leaves release a deliciously pungent and refreshing smell of fresh grapefruit[17]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[17].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[18].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Salvia sclarea. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Salvia sclarea.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Salvia sclarea
Genus
Salvia
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

    "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    4. ? 4.04.1 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.6 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.78.8 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.59.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.4 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd ISBN 0-9517723-0-9 (1993-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    18. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    19. ? Davis. P. H. Flora of Turkey. Edinburgh University Press (1965-00-00)

    "image:Salvia sclarea2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Salvia sclarea"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLabiatae +
    Belongs to genusSalvia +
    Has binomial nameSalvia sclarea +
    Has common nameClary +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Flowers + and Leaves +
    Has edible useCondiment + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeBees +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageSalvia sclarea2.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeBiennial + and Perennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useEssential + and Oil +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has mature width0.6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntispasmodic +, Appetizer +, Aromatherapy +, Aromatic +, Astringent +, Balsamic +, Carminative +, Ophthalmic +, Pectoral + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageSalvia sclarea2.jpg +
    Has search namesalvia sclarea + and clary +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameSalvia sclarea +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Salvia sclarea +, Salvia sclarea +, Salvia sclarea +, Salvia sclarea +, Salvia sclarea +, Salvia sclarea +, Salvia sclarea +, Salvia sclarea +, Salvia sclarea +, Salvia sclarea +, Salvia sclarea +, Salvia sclarea +, Salvia sclarea +, Salvia sclarea + and Salvia sclarea +