Mediterranean sage (Salvia aethiopis)


Category A Weed

Mint family (Lamiaceae)

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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

              Images

              Mediterranean Sage Plant
              Mature Plant
              Mediterranean Sage Flower
              Flower
              Mediterranean Sage Infestation
              Infestation
              Mayweed Chamomile Rosette Large
              Rosette Large
              Mayweed Chamomile Rosette
              Rosette Small
              Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide
              Nevada Noxious Weed Guide