Salvia arizonica is a species of sage known commonly as desert indigo sage and Arizona sage. It can be distinguished from its relatives by its triangular, serrated leaves. It blooms copiously in small blue flowers. This is a vigorous sage which propagates via underground spreading runners and seeds. It is native to Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It is frequently found at higher elevations (2100–2900 m).

Description

It is a perennial with shiny, dark-green leaves and clusters of indigo flowers. It can get up to heights of 2 feet tall. The fruit are nutlets. The bloom time is in the months of July, August, and September. The flowers are small, semi-tubular, and are dark blue with a white throat. The green, thin stems hold the clusters of flowers above the foliage. The leaves are in an elongated triangular shape with pronounced veins. The stems are square with creeping rootstocks. The leaves are glabrous on both sides, deltate-ovate in shape, and have small teeth. The flowers are in interrupted spikes or heads, the calyx is 2 lipped with small teeth. The two fruits are smooth.

Salvia arizonica

Notes

External links

USDA Plants Profile

arizonica

Flora of Arizona

Flora of New Mexico

Flora of Texas

Taxa named by Asa Gray

Salvia arizonica