Salvia coccinea, the blood sage,[1]scarlet sage, Texas sage, or tropical sage, is a herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae family that is widespread throughout the Southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America (Colombia, Peru, and Brazil).[2] At one time Brazil was considered to be where it originated, but its diploid chromosome count now points to Mexico as its place of origin.[3]
Taxonomy
Its specific epithet, coccinea, means "scarlet-dyed" (Latin), referring to the color of its flowers.[4]
Description
The plant reaches 2 to 4 ft (0.61 to 1.22 m) in height, with many branches, and a spread of about 2.5 ft (0.76 m). The hairy leaves, scalloped on the edges, are pea green, varying in size, all the way up to 3 in (7.6 cm) long and 2 in (5.1 cm) wide. Flower color and size is quite variable.[3] The naturalized variety is typically tubular, bright red, about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) long.[5] Flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds and butterflies.[6]
Cultivation
Cultivated varieties include orange-red, pink, salmon, red, white, and scarlet, and include bi-colored varieties.[3] The plant is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones Zones 8-10.[7]
References
^USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Salvia coccinea". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
Media related to Salvia coccinea at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Salvia coccinea at Wikispecies
