How to identify Baby sage (Salvia microphylla)

How to identify Baby sage (Salvia microphylla)

Baby sage, also known as Lemmon's sage

Baby sage is characterized by its bushy growth reaching heights of up to 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) with a similar spread. Its foliage consists of small, oval leaves that are bright green and have a fine texture with serrated edges. The flowers are tubular, vivid, and typically appear in shades of red, pink, or purple. They bloom prolifically throughout the warm months and are often nestled among the leaves, attracting a variety of pollinators.

Lifespan: Perennial, Annual

Plant Type: Herb, Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Baby sage

Bushy growth up to 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) tall, with similar spread.

Triangular, aromatic leaves with toothed edges, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long.

Vivid tubular flowers in red, pink, or purple tones attract pollinators.

Schizocarp fruit with 4 chambers, each holding a small, hardened nutlet.

Fruit coloration blends with foliage, nutlets < 0.2 inches (5 mm) in diameter.

Detailed Traits of Baby sage

Leaf Features

The leaves of baby sage are green and almost triangular in shape, measuring approximately 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in length. They feature toothed edges and have a slightly rough texture. The leaves are aromatic and edible, releasing a pleasant fragrance when crushed. Their vein pattern is prominent, enhancing their distinctive appearance. These characteristics, alongside their rich green color, make the leaves of baby sage easily recognizable.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of baby sage is a schizocarp divided into four distinct chambers, each containing a singular nutlet. Upon maturation, the fruit takes on a rounded shape. Each nutlet houses the potential to grow into a new plant. The coloration of the schizocarp is typically a brownish hue, blending seamlessly with the plant's foliage. The nutlets inside are minute, hardening as they mature. The texture is generally smooth with a firm consistency to protect the enclosed seed. These fruits are relatively small, typically measuring less than 0.2 inches (5 mm) in diameter.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Baby sage and Their Similar Plants

Rosemary vs. Baby 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.

Woodland sage vs. Baby 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.

Common sage vs. Baby 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.

Mealycup sage vs. Baby 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.

Scarlet sage vs. Baby 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.

Blue anise sage vs. Baby sage: What's The Difference?

Blue anise sage (Salvia guaranitica) is a flowering perennial herb that attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and resists deer. It grows best in shade in rich soil and is drought resistant. Blue anise sage is common in gardens and considered easy to grow.

Autumn sage vs. Baby sage: What's The Difference?

Autumn sage (Salvia greggii) is a perennial, flowering shrub that grows from 61 to 91 cm tall. The flowers, typically red, can also be found in white, pink, orange, or purple. This disease and insect free plant is drought tolerant and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Perfect as a colorful, low-growing hedge.

Mexican Bush Sage vs. Baby sage: What's The Difference?

Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) is a plant species native to central and eastern Mexico. Mexican Bush Sage grows in subtropical and tropical conifer forests. This species attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

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Key Facts About Baby sage

Attributes of Baby sage

Lifespan

Perennial, Annual

Plant Type

Herb, Shrub

Plant Height

1 m to 1.3 m

Spread

1 m to 1.3 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

Red

Pink

White

Purple

Fruit Color

Green

Stem Color

Green

Red

Leaf type

Evergreen

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Scientific Classification of Baby sage

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Mints plantains olives and allies

Family

Mint

Genus

Sages

Species

Baby sage (Salvia microphylla)

Learn More About the Baby sage

Distribution Map of Baby sage

Baby sage, is native from the southern US through Guatemala. Its native habitat is dry, mountainous regions. It has been introduced in the Mediterranean, south-central South America, and New Zealand. Baby sage has many widely used ornamental cultivars.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Baby sage

A Comprehensive Guide to Baby sage How to Grow and Care for Baby sage