Salvia mellifera
Greene
Black sage
Salvia mellifera is a shrub that is native to California, and found only slightly beyond California borders.
Bloom Period
The blue points on the map indicate observations in Calflora.
Click on the map to view observations within a specific county.
Click on the map to view observations within a specific county.
Jepson eFlora section:
eudicot
USDA PLANTS group:
Dicot
Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral
[Wikipedia] Traditional Uses: The Chumash people used a strong sun tea of the leaves and stems of the plant. This was rubbed on the painful area or used to soak one's feet. The plant contains diterpenoids, such as aethiopinone and ursolic acid, that are pain relievers.[4] Californian black sage also produces a nectar that black sage honey is made from. This honey is typically peppery and strong, and is prized as a rare honey due to the plant's dry climate. Black sage honey can only be made when specific rain conditions are met and the plant produces enough nectar. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)
