Practical
Plants

Salvia ballotaeflora

an annual member of the Salvia genus in the family Labiatae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Salvia
Life cycle
annual
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An infusion of the aromatic flowering tops is used as a herb tea[2][3].

Product or use
Tea

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California to Texas.
Habitat
Dry places in coastal sage scrub in California[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and pant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it is only likely to succeed outdoors in the milder parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position[4]. Prefers a rich soil[1]. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  6. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩

Edit this page