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: Perennial
Plant Type: Herb
Leaf Type: Evergreen, Deciduous
Vivid blue to purple tubular flowers with a prominent lower lip.
Ovate to lance-shaped leaves with a textured surface and distinct vein pattern.
Distinctive two-lipped flower structure with protective upper lip and wide lower lip.
Schizocarp fruit splits into four chambers, each containing a small nutlet.
Dry fruits typically brown or black, less than 1/8 inch (3 mm) in size.
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.
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.
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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Scientific Classification of Blue anise sage
