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.

Salvia mellifera
  • Californian Black Sage

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Salvia genus in the family Labiatae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Salvia mellifera has 0 edible uses listed
Salvia mellifera has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

The aromatic leaves can be brewed into a tea[1].

The leaves and stems can be used as a food flavouring[1][2].

The seeds can be dried then ground into a powder and used as a gruel[2].

Unknown part

Condiment
Tea

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Salvia mellifera.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The green leaves are cardiac and carminative[2]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of heart complaints[2]. They can be chewed in the treatment of gas pains[2]. A poultice of the heated leaves can be applied to the ear in the treatment of ear pains, or to the neck in the treatment of sore throats[2]. A decoction of the plant has been used in the treatment of chronic bronchial coughs[2]. The decoction has also been used as a bath in the treatment of paralysis[2].

Unknown part

Analgesic
Cardiac
Carminative
Pectoral

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse[3]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. In areas where the plant is towards the limits of its hardiness, it is best to grow the plants on in a greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood succeed at almost any time in the growing season[3].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Salvia mellifera. 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[3]. Prefers a rich soil[4]. Soils rich in nitrogen encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowering[5].

This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[3]. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet[3].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Salvia mellifera. 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 mellifera.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Salvia mellifera
Genus
Salvia
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2]
Medicinal uses
[2]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[3]
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
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
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
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    2 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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

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


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

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

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






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.72.82.9 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    4. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    5. ? Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    6. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-276" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

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

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Salvia_mellifera&oldid=80617"
    Facts about "Salvia mellifera"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLabiatae +
    Belongs to genusSalvia +
    Has binomial nameSalvia mellifera +
    Has common nameCalifornian Black Sage +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Seed +
    Has edible useCondiment +, Unknown use + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeBees +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has imageBlacksage.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnalgesic +, Cardiac +, Carminative + and Pectoral +
    Has primary imageBlacksage.jpg +
    Has search namesalvia mellifera + and californian black sage +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameSalvia mellifera +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    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 mellifera +, Salvia mellifera +, Salvia mellifera +, Salvia mellifera +, Salvia mellifera +, Salvia mellifera + and Salvia mellifera +