Salvia apiana
White sage
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Salvia apiana (White sage) is a native California subshrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by large size and silvery foliage distinctive.
White sage is a California native perennial found in southern coastal ranges, coastal southern California, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and western deserts in dry slopes, coastal-sage scrub, chaparral, and yellow-pine forest at elevations generally below 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces white and lavender flowers in few-flowered clusters arranged in interrupted, spike-like panicles. Growing 1 to 2 meters tall with a subshrub habit, it develops dense, woody stems that support aromatic foliage. Its leaves are widely lanceolate, 4 to 8 centimeters long, with tiny rounded teeth and a dense covering of minute, appressed hairs that give the plant a soft, silvery-green appearance. The fruit is small, shiny, and light brown, measuring 2.5 to 3 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; large size and silvery foliage distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, coastal-sage scrub, chaparral, yellow-pine forest
Elevation: generally < 1500 m
California counties: Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, Orange, Santa Barbara, Plumas, San Mateo, Imperial, Alameda, San Luis Obispo, Yolo
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Salvia apiana blooms Apr-Aug.
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 apiana native to California?
Yes. Salvia apiana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salvia apiana bloom?
Salvia apiana blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Salvia apiana grow?
Salvia apiana occurs in Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, Orange, Santa Barbara, Plumas and other counties, at elevations of generally < 1500 m.
What plant family does Salvia apiana belong to?
Salvia apiana is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Salvia.
What habitat does Salvia apiana grow in?
Salvia apiana grows in dry slopes, coastal-sage scrub, chaparral, yellow-pine forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.