Weed of the Week

6-2-08

Mediterranean sage, Salvia aethiopis

                

Photo credits: Image courtesy of Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture (whole plant) Image courtesy of Dan Sharratt, Oregon Department of Agriculture (Rosette)

 Characteristics:

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Origin: Native to Mediterranean and Northern Africa

Description:

• Aromatic biennial

• 2-3 feet tall

• First season: rosette

• Second season: bolts

Stems:

• Multi-stemmed plant

• Wooly and blue green

Flowers:

• White to yellowish-white

• Hooded and 2-lipped

Leaves:

• Larger lower leaves have a petiole are lobed and coarsely toothed

• Upper leaves are smaller and clasp to the stem

Fruit:

• Four nutlets develop from the flower

• Brown, smooth and dark veins

Additional information:

Currently this weed is not present in Broomfield County, but it is present in Northern Boulder County.  One plant may produce thousands of seeds and spread via the tumbleweed method.  Meadow sage looks similar but has blue flowers and is more coarsely haired.  Rosettes are wooly looking and blue-green.  May also be referred to as African sage.

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