Practical
Plants

Salvia reflexa

Mintweed

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Salvia
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.75 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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

Reported to be toxic to cattle, possibly through nitrate poisoning[6].

Edible uses

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

The seeds are used in the preparation of a cooling drink[2][3]. The following notes apply to S. hispanica, they are probably also appropriate for this species[K]. When soaked in water the seeds form a gelatinous mass which is flavoured with fruit juices and consumed as a cooling drink[3][4]. The gelled seeds can also be prepared as a gruel or pudding[3]. The sprouted seeds are eaten in salads, sandwiches, soups, stews etc[3]. Due to their mucilaginous property they are often sprouted on clay or other porous materials[3]. The seed can be ground into a meal and made into bread, biscuits, cakes etc[3].

Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Seed

Environment

Range
Southern N. America - Mexico.
Habitat
Dry open soils from Wisconsin to Montana and south to Texas[7].
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 March/April in a greenhouse. The seedlings dislike root disturbance, so prick them out carefully into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ during April/May, though this sowing might not mature its seed in a cool summer[4].

Cultivation

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

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

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  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

  6. 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

    ↩

  7. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

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