Salvia japonica

Thunb.

Japanese sage, Shu wei cao

Lamiaceae Edible: Leaves 577 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by

Summary

Salvia japonica, known as East Asian sage, is an annual plant that is native to several provinces in China and Taiwan, growing at 200 to 1,200 m (660 to 3,940 ft) elevation. S. japonica grows on erect stems to 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24 in) tall. Inflorescences are 2-6 flowered verticillasters in terminal racemes or panicles, with a corolla that varies in color from reddish, purplish, bluish, to white, and is approximately 1.2 cm (0.47 in). There are two named varieties, with slight variations in leaf and flower shape: S. japonica var. japonica and S. japonica var. multifoliolata.

Description

An annual plant. It grows 40-60 cm high. The leaves have 1-3 leaflets along the stalk. The leaf blade is sword shaped and 10 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers can be red, purple, blue or white. The nutlets are brown.

Edible Uses

Children suck the flowers, likely for their sweet nectar. The leaves are also used as a flavouring and serve as a substitute for sage.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are eaten with oil and salt.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. In China it grows in wet areas between 200-1200 m altitude. In Sichuan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Slovenia, Taiwan,

Cultivation

Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position. Prefers a rich soil. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

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.