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COMMON NAME:
Black Sage
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Salvia mellifera
ADAPTATIONS:
The light coloring and leaves that are slightly wooly
underneath help the plant conserve water.
FACTS:
The Black Sage is considered by bee keepers to be the best
source of honey. It is one of the more aromatic shrubs found on dry slopes in Southern
California.
Early Californians used it to season meat and poultry.
They also made a tea by soaking the seeds in water.
NATIVE USES:
The Indians used it as flavoring in foods and for medicine.
GROWING FACTORS:
Black sage is found in coastal sage scrub and chaparral
habitats. It flowers from spring to summer. It grows to a maximum of 5 feet with a 6 foot
spread. It prefers sandy loam soil with a pH of 4-8. It requires little water, but good
drainage and likes full sun.