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Salvia columbariae - Benth.

Common Name Chia, Ziegler's sage
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry open places below 1200 metres[92].
Range South-western N. America - California.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Salvia columbariae Chia,  Ziegler


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Curtis_Clark
Salvia columbariae Chia,  Ziegler
www.nps.gov

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Salvia columbariae is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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 and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses: Condiment  Drink

Seed - raw or cooked[92, 94, 95, 257]. Usually ground into a powder and used as piñole or made into dark-coloured cakes and loaves[183], it has a nutty flavour[92]. It can also be mixed with corn meal when making mush or with ground wheat for gruel[183]. Rich in niacin, thiamine, zinc, calcium and manganese[160], it is also a good source of protein and easily digested fats[274]. It has a high food value and is easily digested[92]. The sprouted seeds can be added to salads and sandwiches[160, 183]. A refreshing drink can be made by steeping the seed in cold water[92, 94, 95, 183]. Alternatively, the seed can be roasted and ground into a powder then mixed with water when it soon becomes a copious gelatinous mass[2]. It is very palatable and nutritious[2]. The seed has been used to render water palatable by removing the alkalis[257]. The leaves are occasionally used as a sage-like seasoning[183].

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.
Digestive  Disinfectant  Febrifuge  Ophthalmic

The seed is digestive, disinfectant, febrifuge and ophthalmic[94, 257]. An infusion can be used in the treatment of fevers[257]. A poultice of the seed mush can be applied to infections[257]. The seeds have been kept in the mouth, and chewed during long journeys on foot, in order to give strength[257]. The seeds have been used to cleanse the eyes or remove foreign matter from the eyes[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

Disinfectant

None known

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 are lodge resistant[160]. This plant was a staple food crop of the Aztecs[142]. It is often cultivated for its edible seeds, which are used to make a refreshing and nourishing drink. 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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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow April in situ. The plant dislikes root disturbance. If seed supplies are limited then it can be sown in a pot in a greenhouse in March/April, potted up into individual pots as soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle then planted out in May. Germination usually takes 10 - 14 days at 20°c.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Arizona, California, Nevada (south), Utah (s. (Washington Co. & Kane Co.))), Mexico (Baja California (Norte), Baja California Sur, Sonora)

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Benth.

Botanical References

71200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Kenna Hillman   Fri Feb 17 2006

I am trying to purchase this form of Chia -- not the one from Mexico. But, I am having difficulty finding a source which sales either the seed or the plant of Salvia columbariae. Is there anyone with a source to share? Thank you!!

Roy hamilton   Mon Sep 11 2006

I too am trying to find a British/european source of pinole with no luck. With the food milage being a very real issue these days, can anybody help?

brandi   Sat Aug 11 2007

The seed can be purchased from Native Seed Search in Tucson, AZ in 4oz, 8oz or 1 lb. http://www.nativeseeds.org/v2/prod.php?prodID=FD080

Native Seed Search source for S. columbariae seed

   Sat Jan 5 2008

It is also the same seed used for ChiaPets!

jesse   Fri Jul 17 2009

hi! i work at a lab where we are trying to germinate these seeds. they have to be stimulated with smoke to germinate, as a simulation of fire. unless they have been treated in this way, they won't germinate.

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Subject : Salvia columbariae  
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