purple sage
Salvia leucophylla
The plant releases volatile monoterpenes like camphor and cineole that suppress the germination of competing grass seeds nearby.
- Scientific name
- Salvia leucophylla
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Lamiales › Lamiaceae › Salvia
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Coastal sage scrub, lower chaparral slopes, and dry open canyons below 800 meters elevation
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis using sunlight, atmospheric carbon dioxide, and soil minerals)
- Range
- United States, Mexico
- Size
- 1 to 2.5 meters tall and up to 2 meters wide
- Lifespan
- 10–30 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Urban sprawl, invasive weed competition, and altered fire return intervals
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to humans. Foliage is non-toxic and culinary-adjacent, though volatile oils can occasionally cause mild contact dermatitis in sensitive skin. Wash skin with soap and water if irritated.
Salvia leucophylla , the San Luis purple sage , purple sage , or gray sage , is an aromatic sage native to the southern coastal mountain ranges of California and Baja California.
Photo: C T Johansson, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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