White Sage, Compact white sage
Salvia apiana
Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae
What it is like
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.
Height (m): 3
Where it is found
Dry benches and slopes below 1500 metres.
South-western N. America - California.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Seed - raw or cooked. It can be ground into a powder and used as a mush. The seed has been mixed with cereals such as oats or wheat, toasted then ground into a fine powder and eaten dry. The seed can also be soaked overnight and used as a drink in water or fruit juice or eaten with cereals. The seed is also used as a spice. The leaves are used in cooking. They can be used as a flavouring in seed mushes. Stem tops. The young stalks can be eaten raw. Ripe stem tops can be peeled and eaten raw.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.
Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
Medicine
Rating: 1
An infusion of the leaves is used as a blood tonic and as a treatment for coughs and colds. The leaves can be eaten, or used as a sweat bath, in the treatment of colds. The seeds have been used as eye cleaners. 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.
Blood tonic: Is this any different to a blood purifier?
Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.
Other
Rating:
The leaves have been crushed in water and used as a hair shampoo, dye and hair straightener. A poultice of the freshly crushed leaves can be applied to the armpits to treat body odours. The leaves have been burnt as an incense to fumigate a house after a case of contagious disease such as measles.
Hair: Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.
Incense: Aromatic plants that can be burnt to impart a pleasant smell, repel insects and disinfect closed areas.
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
How it is grown
Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position. Prefers a rich soil. Plants grow best in a dry climate and can be killed by excessive winter wet. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. The seed is sold in health food shops for its use in making a drink. A good bee plant. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
Propagating it: Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse. 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.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist