Salvia brandegeei
Brandegee's sage
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Salvia brandegeei (Brandegee's sage) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by island endemic with distinctive linear leaves.
Brandegee's sage is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in the northern Channel Islands on Santa Rosa Island in coastal scrub habitats at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from February to August, this plant produces pale blue to lavender flowers with a delicate corolla tube 7 to 8 millimeters long, set in compact clusters 1.5 to 2 centimeters wide. Growing over 1 meter tall with branched hairs and a distinctive growth form, the shrub displays an intricate structural complexity. Its linear to linear-elliptic leaves are 2 to 6 centimeters long, with margins rolled under, featuring small rounded teeth and a unique texture - glabrous on the upper surface and densely white-hairy underneath. The fruit is a small, rough, brown structure 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long, completing the plant's distinctive botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; island endemic with distinctive linear leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Salvia brandegeei blooms Feb-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 brandegeei native to California?
Yes. Salvia brandegeei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salvia brandegeei bloom?
Salvia brandegeei blooms Feb-Aug.
Where in California does Salvia brandegeei grow?
Salvia brandegeei occurs in Santa Barbara, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Salvia brandegeei belong to?
Salvia brandegeei is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Salvia.
Is Salvia brandegeei rare or endangered?
Salvia brandegeei carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.