• Mediterranean Sage Plant 215x150

Category A Weed

Mint family (Lamiaceae)

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Mediterranean sage (Salvia aethiopis)

    Stem

    • 1-3 ft. tall, highly branched and densely covered with hairs

      Leaves

      • Gray-green; densely covered with white hairs, particularly on new leaves and underside of older leaves; wider at base (triangle-shaped); 2-12 in. long; edges (margins) with rounded, irregular teeth; leaves have an aroma when crushed

      • Lower leaves have leaf stems (petioles); upper leaves are smaller and lack leaf stems

        Flower

        • Yellow to white, arranged in clusters of 5-10, 0.5 in. long; 2 lips, the upper lip is arch- or hook-shaped, the lower lip is smaller and has 3 lobes

        • 4 nutlets produced per flower, 0.16 in. long

          Root

          • Stout, deep taproot

            Other

            • Often infests rangeland, roadsides and waste areas; known to occur in Clark, Humboldt and Washoe counties

            • Biennial; reproduces by seed; dried plants detach and "tumble," which disperses seeds

            •  Also known as African sage

              Control

              • Hand removal of individual plants (including the crown) can limit spread of small infestations

              • An insect biological control agent is available

              • Apply 2,4-D, clopyralid or picloram to actively growing plants prior to seed production