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Salvia apiana - Jeps.

Common Name White Sage, Compact white sage
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry benches and slopes below 1500 metres[71].
Range South-western N. America - California.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Salvia apiana White Sage, Compact white sage


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Salvia apiana White Sage, Compact white sage
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Salvia apiana is a PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from April to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed  Stem
Edible Uses: Condiment  Drink

Seed - raw or cooked. It can be ground into a powder and used as a mush[177, 257]. The seed has been mixed with cereals such as oats or wheat, toasted then ground into a fine powder and eaten dry[257]. The seed can also be soaked overnight and used as a drink in water or fruit juice or eaten with cereals[61, 183]. The seed is also used as a spice[105]. The leaves are used in cooking[183]. They can be used as a flavouring in seed mushes[257]. Stem tops[105, 177]. The young stalks can be eaten raw[257]. Ripe stem tops can be peeled and eaten raw[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Blood tonic  Ophthalmic

An infusion of the leaves is used as a blood tonic and as a treatment for coughs and colds[257]. The leaves can be eaten, or used as a sweat bath, in the treatment of colds[257]. The seeds have been used as eye cleaners[257]. No more information is given here, but in other instances the seed has been placed in the eye, it then forms a gelatinous covering to which any foreign matter in the eye adheres. The seed is washed out of the eye by the eyes own tears[K].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hair  Incense

The leaves have been crushed in water and used as a hair shampoo, dye and hair straightener[257]. A poultice of the freshly crushed leaves can be applied to the armpits to treat body odours[257]. The leaves have been burnt as an incense to fumigate a house after a case of contagious disease such as measles[257].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position[200]. Prefers a rich soil[1]. Plants grow best in a dry climate and can be killed by excessive winter wet[200, 260]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. The seed is sold in health food shops for its use in making a drink[183]. A good bee plant[61]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse[200]. 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[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Jeps.

Botanical References

71200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

RONI   Mon Nov 28 2005

THIS IS A GOOD WEB SITE AND IT GAVE ME ALOT OF INFO ON WHITE SAGE FOR MY PROGECT. THX

Victor Hartford   Thu Mar 23 2006

White Sage seeds & plants organic Salvia apiana Seed source, cultivation, uses

Marc   Fri Sep 14 2007

Sorry to be rude, but "sow March/April in a greenhouse[200]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks." isn't very useful information. The USDA suggests heating to 150 F for twn minutes, some sites suggest "liquid smoke", others gibberellic acid. A number of places suggest light is necessary for germination. So it would very much help if you would be specific as to germination temperatures, sowing depth, what specific growing medium is best and what stratification techniques are necessary. Thanks

salvio   Fri Sep 12 2008

To Marc: sprouting is very easy. Just bury 1/2 to 1 inch (2-3cm) in sandy soil and water until a good size (2-5 pars of leaves grown) and transplant to bigger pot or ground.

david n   Wed May 27 2009

The leaves taste rather like Sage (Salvia officinalis) but more intense, they are probably too tough to use without being chopped up unless you sont mind chewing. It looks good, almost white leaves.

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