Jerusalem sage
Phlomis fruticosa

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 25 cm to 1.3 m tall. The leaves at the base have leaf stalks and those higher on the stem do not. The leaves are oval and have an uneven surface. The flowers are in spikes with 10-15 flowers in layers/ They are orange.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on dry cliffs and rocky places up to 1,000 m in the Mediterranean. It needs a well-drained soil and can grow in a nutritionally poor soil. It needs to be in a sunny position. It can tolerate drought. It suits hardiness zone 7.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Balkans, China, Croatia, Europe, Italy, Mediterranean, Russia, Sicily, Slovenia, Turkey, Türkiye, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The leaves are used to give an aroma to meat. They are also browned in butter and used for a pasta seasoning. The flowers have a sweet nectar that is sucked.

The nectar is sucked especially by children. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, flowers - nectar, leaves - flavouring

How it is grown

It can be grown as a low hedge. Plants can be grown from seeds. They can also be grown by cuttings or using layering.

Its other names

Local names

Grmasti flomis, Parsamba

Synonyms

Beloakon luteum Raf.; Phlomis angustifolia Mill.; Phlomis collina Salisb. [Illegitimate]; Phlomis latifolia Mill.; Phlomis pichleri Vierh.; Phlomis portae A. Kern. ex Nyman; Phlomis salviifolia Stokes; Phlomis scariosa C. Presl.;