Salvia aethiopis
Mediterranean sage
(c) Roman A. Lagazyuk (Роман А. Лагазюк), some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Salvia aethiopis (Mediterranean sage) is a non-native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by white-woolly coating and pale yellow flowers distinctive.
Mediterranean sage is a naturalized perennial herb found in the Mother Lode Provinces in fields and roadsides at elevations of 1,250 to 1,550 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces pale yellow flowers with white-woolly calyxes, forming clusters of 5 to 10 blossoms in an open panicle. Growing 30 to 60 centimeters tall with a tomentose (woolly) texture, the plant has an upright and somewhat branching form. Its leaves are primarily basal, widely lanceolate to triangular, measuring 5 to 30 centimeters long with irregular teeth that are acute to rounded. The fruit is small, shiny, and dark brown, approximately 2.5 to 3 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; white-woolly coating and pale yellow flowers distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Fields, roadsides
Elevation: 1250-1550 m
Outside California: native to Europe
Bloom period
Salvia aethiopis blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Gambelia: Salvia has opposite leaves and square stems (mint family), while Gambelia has alternate leaves.; vs Encelia: Salvia has tubular two-lipped flowers, while Encelia has yellow daisy-like flower heads.; vs Artemisia: Salvia has showy tubular flowers, while Artemisia has tiny inconspicuous flowers in narrow spikes.; vs Trichostema: Salvia has flowers in interrupted whorls, while Trichostema has long curved stamens protruding from flowers.; vs Stachys: Salvia typically has grayish aromatic leaves, while Stachys has green wrinkled leaves and denser flower spikes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Salvia aethiopis native to California?
No. Salvia aethiopis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Salvia aethiopis bloom?
Salvia aethiopis blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Salvia aethiopis belong to?
Salvia aethiopis is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Salvia.
Is Salvia aethiopis invasive in California?
Salvia aethiopis is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Salvia aethiopis grow in?
Salvia aethiopis grows in Fields, roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.