Salvia fruticosa

Salvia fruticosa, or Greek sage, is a perennial herb or sub-shrub native to the eastern Mediterranean, including Southern Italy, the Canary Islands and North Africa. It is especially abundant in Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon.

Description

A shrub. It grows to 90 cm high. The leaves have a whitish covering. The leaves are simple and oval or sword shaped. They are 5 cm long. The flowers are pink, lilac or white. They are in spikes at the ends of branches.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used as a spice or as an adulterant of sage (S. officinalis). Though somewhat inferior in quality to true sage, this species is easier to grow indoors and accounts for 50–95% of commercially dried sage leaves. The leaves can also be infused to make a fragrant tea known as 'fascomiglia'.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are used as a spice or along with common sage. The leaves are brewed into a tea. They are also used to improve the flavour of tea.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are antihydrotic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cholagogue, depurative, expectorant, febrifuge, stimulant, tonic, and vasodilator. Internally, they are used to treat digestive and respiratory complaints, menstrual problems, infertility, nervous tension, and depression. This remedy should not be prescribed to pregnant women. Leaves can be harvested as needed and used fresh, or collected before the flowers open and dried or distilled for their essential oil.

Distribution

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in rocky places and gullies. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Where It Grows

Africa, Albania, Australia, Balkans, Canary Islands, Crete, Cyprus, Europe, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Palestine, Portugal, Sicily, Syria, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye,

Cultivation

Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position. Prefers a rich soil. Soils rich in nitrogen encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowering. Plants are not very hardy outdoors in Britain, though they should succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country, but perhaps even there needing the protection of a south-facing wall. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet. The flowers are very attractive to bees, providing a good source of nectar. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Sage leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season, with the best flavor typically from spring to early summer, just before flowering. Sage usually flowers in late spring to early summer, generally between May and June (Northern Hemisphere), depending on the specific species and growing conditions. Sage is a moderately fast-growing herb, often reaching maturity in about 1 to 2 years under optimal conditions.

Propagation

Sow seed in March or April in a greenhouse; germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in early summer. In areas at the limits of the plant's hardiness, grow on under glass through the first winter and plant out in late spring the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken at almost any time during the growing season.

Other Uses

An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used to adulterate spike lavender oil (obtained from Lavandula latifolia). Sage works well as a companion plant, attracting pollinators and beneficial insects through its nectar-rich flowers, which draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its strong aromatic scent can also deter harmful insects and herbivores, making it useful in pest management. The dense foliage and woody stems provide some shelter and overwintering sites for small animals, invertebrates, and beneficial insects.

Notes

There are about 900 Salvia species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Adacayi, Almageyik, Almakeyik, Greek-oregano, Mariamieh, Three-lobe sage

References (25)

• Ali-Shtayeh, M. S., et al, 2008, Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in Palestine (Northern West Bank): A comparative study. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 4: 13
• Al-Qura'n, S. A., 2010, Ethnobotanical and Ecological Studies of Wild Edible Plants in Jordan. Libyan Agriculture Research Center Journal International 1(4):231-243
• Balut, G., 2016, Medicinal and wild food plants of Marmara Island (Balikesir - Turkey). Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 85 (2): 3501
• Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 401
• Ciftcioglu, C. G., 2015, Sustainable wild-collection of medicinal and edible plants in Lefke region of North Cyprus. Agroforest Syst. Springer

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