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Blue anise sage

How to identify Blue anise sage (Salvia guaranitica)

Blue anise sage, also known as Salvia

Blue anise sage is a robust herbaceous perennial that typically reaches a sizeable height and width of approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters). This member of the Lamiaceae family showcases lush foliage, characterized by ovate to lance-shaped leaves with a notable textured surface. The plant is easily recognizable by its strikingly vivid blue to purple flowers, which are tubular and display a prominent lower lip, attracting a variety of pollinators. The inflorescences borne on elongated spikes add to its ornamental appeal.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen, Deciduous

Quickly Identify Blue anise sage

1

Vivid blue to purple tubular flowers with a prominent lower lip.

2

Ovate to lance-shaped leaves with a textured surface and distinct vein pattern.

3

Distinctive two-lipped flower structure with protective upper lip and wide lower lip.

4

Schizocarp fruit splits into four chambers, each containing a small nutlet.

5

Dry fruits typically brown or black, less than 1/8 inch (3 mm) in size.

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Detailed Traits of Blue anise sage

Leaf Features

The leaves of blue anise sage are oval in shape, measuring 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long. They are dark green and lightly toothed around the edges. The upper surface is wrinkled, giving it a textured appearance, while the underside is pale green. These leaves exhibit a distinct vein pattern that emphasizes their slightly raised texture above and smoother feel below, making them a key feature for identifying this plant.

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

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Flower Features

The flowers of blue anise sage are characterized by their distinctive two-lipped structure. The vibrant, deep blue flowers feature an upper lip forming a protective hood over the stamens and a wide, downward-pointing lower lip with toothed edges. Each tubular flower measures approximately 1.5 to 2 inches (4-5 cm) in length. They emit a mild, pleasant scent, and typically bloom from late spring through early autumn, attracting various pollinators with their striking color and shape.

Blue anise sage Flower image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of blue anise sage is a schizocarp, which upon maturation splits into four chambers, each containing a single nutlet. The nutlets are small, with a texture that may be rough or smooth to the touch. While the color can vary, typically the nutlets would be brown or black when mature. These dry fruits are an important characteristic for identification, usually measuring less than 1/8 inch (3 mm) in size. Such scale and division in structure are distinctive among fruits of the Salvia species.

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Blue anise sage and Their Similar Plants

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Rosemary vs. Blue anise sage: What's The Difference?
Rosemary is a herb with pale flowers and evergreen leaves. It gives off a distinctive scent and is used in cooking as well as in the making of scented perfumes, soaps, and candles. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region where evidence of its use by humans dates back at least 7000 years.
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Woodland sage vs. Blue anise sage: What's The Difference?
Woodland sage is a clump-forming plant that is known for its purple flowers that grow on upright purple stems. This plant is especially attractive to butterflies and bees and the leaves give off a minty fragrance. This perennial should be cut back after flowering has concluded, usually in early fall.
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Common sage vs. Blue anise sage: What's The Difference?
Salvia officinalis, colloquially known as common sage, is an evergreen woody shrub that grows in dry and stony places. It has a long history of cultivation for culinary purposes as well as for its distinctive scent, which is now incorporated into candles, potpourri, and beauty products, often combined with lemon. Common sage's lovely purple flowers adorn many gardens and flower beds all over the world.
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Mealycup sage vs. Blue anise sage: What's The Difference?
The mealycup sage needs either full or partial sun in order to thrive. It can be an annual plant when grown in temperate climates and must be planted in times without frost in less temperate climates. There are a few varieties of mealycup sage, which can produce either violet, blue or white flowers.
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Baby sage vs. Blue anise sage: What's The Difference?
Baby sage is an evergreen shrub that is commonly found in Mexico and the Southwestern United States. This plant has distinctive leaves, which when crushed produce a pleasant scent that is a mixture of mint and black currant. Flowers are usually vibrant and range in color from light pink and rose to magenta and red.
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Scarlet sage vs. Blue anise sage: What's The Difference?
Scarlet sage (Salvia splendens) is a perennial herb native to Brazil. Its many small flowers are shaped such that hummingbirds and butterflies are the most common visitors. Scarlet sage is often cultivated ornamentally for decor, and it has become a mainstay in indoor flowerbeds such as those in shopping malls.
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Key Facts About Blue anise sage

Attributes of Blue anise sage
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
61 cm to 1.5 m
Spread
60 cm to 1.5 m
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
2.5 cm to 8 cm
Leaf type
Evergreen, Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Blue anise sage

Family
Mint
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Genus
Sages
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Species
Blue anise sage (Salvia guaranitica)
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