Salvia indica

Linn.

Lamiaceae Edible: Leaves, Flowers, Flowers - tea 144 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Salvia indica (pied sage or two-lip spotted sage) is a species of herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the family Lamiaceae. It is native to a wide region of Western Asia that includes Israel, Iraq, Iran and Turkey. It was first described by the taxonomist Carl Linnaeus in 1753. It is unknown why he gave it the specific epithet indica, since the plant is not from India. While Salvia indica is classified as a herbaceous perennial, in cultivation individual plants often live no longer than two years.

Description

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 60-90 cm high and spreads 60 cm wide. The leaves are grey and scalloped. The flowers are on tall spikes. They are purple. There are white markings on the bottom lip.

Edible Uses

The leaves are added to local beers to give a fresh taste and are also used for herbal teas. Both leaves and flowers can be consumed.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are added to local beers to give a fresh taste. They are also used for herbal teas.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, India, Iraq, Middle East,

Also Known As

Rayhanakiwilka

References (6)

Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1303
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 135
Galalaey, A. M. K., et al, 2021, Ethnobotanical study of some wild edible plants in Hujran Bason, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. ZANCO Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences. Salahaddin University-Erbil p 27
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 591
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 284

Show all 6 references