Salvia columbariae
Chia
an annual or perennial member of the Salvia genus in the family Labiatae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - raw or cooked[11][12][13][8]. Usually ground into a powder and used as piñole or made into dark-coloured cakes and loaves[4], it has a nutty flavour[11]. It can also be mixed with corn meal when making mush or with ground wheat for gruel[4]. Rich in niacin, thiamine, zinc, calcium and manganese[3], it is also a good source of protein and easily digested fats[9]. It has a high food value and is easily digested[11]. The sprouted seeds can be added to salads and sandwiches[3][4]. A refreshing drink can be made by steeping the seed in cold water[11][12][13][4]. Alternatively, the seed can be roasted and ground into a powder then mixed with water when it soon becomes a copious gelatinous mass[5]. It is very palatable and nutritious[5]. The seed has been used to render water palatable by removing the alkalis[8]. The leaves are occasionally used as a sage-like seasoning[4].
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Product or use
- Drink
- Plant part
- Seed
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The seed is digestive, disinfectant, febrifuge and ophthalmic[12][8]. An infusion can be used in the treatment of fevers[8]. A poultice of the seed mush can be applied to infections[8]. The seeds have been kept in the mouth, and chewed during long journeys on foot, in order to give strength[8]. The seeds have been used to cleanse the eyes or remove foreign matter from the eyes[8]. No more information is given here, but in other instances the seed has been placed in the eye, it then forms a gelatinous covering to which any foreign matter in the eye adheres. The seed is washed out of the eye by the eyes own tears[K].
- Product or use
- Digestive
- Product or use
- Disinfectant
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
Environment
- Range
- South-western N. America - California.
- Habitat
- Dry open places below 1200 metres[11].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow April in situ. The plant dislikes root disturbance. If seed supplies are limited then it can be sown in a pot in a greenhouse in March/April, potted up into individual pots as soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle then planted out in May. Germination usually takes 10 - 14 days at 20°c.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position[6]. Prefers a rich soil[1]. Plants are lodge resistant[3]. This plant was a staple food crop of the Aztecs[2]. It is often cultivated for its edible seeds, which are used to make a refreshing and nourishing drink. A good bee plant[10]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-12-136450-x
Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Balls. E. K. Early Uses of Californian Plants. University of California Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-520-00072-2
Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962-00-00 ISBN 0-911010-54-8
Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3