Salvia clevelandii
Cleveland sage
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Salvia clevelandii (Cleveland sage) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by dark blue-violet flowers and purple calyxes distinctive.
Cleveland sage is a California native shrub found in southern California coastal areas and the Peninsular Ranges in chaparral and coastal scrub habitats at elevations below 1,350 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces dark blue-violet flowers with distinctive purple-tinged calyces in compact clusters. Growing to less than 1.5 meters tall with gray-green stems covered in bent downward hairs, it has a distinctive bushy appearance. Its leaves are 2 to 4 centimeters long, elliptic-ovate with small rounded teeth, featuring a uniquely puckered surface that gives the plant a textured, aromatic character. The fruit is small, 2 to 2.5 millimeters long, brown to gray and often mottled.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; dark blue-violet flowers and purple calyxes distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, dry slopes, coastal scrub
Elevation: < 1350 m
California counties: San Diego, San Bernardino, Alameda, Riverside, San Mateo, Orange, Los Angeles, Kern, Shasta
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Salvia clevelandii blooms Apr-Jul.
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 clevelandii native to California?
Yes. Salvia clevelandii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salvia clevelandii bloom?
Salvia clevelandii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Salvia clevelandii grow?
Salvia clevelandii occurs in San Diego, San Bernardino, Alameda, Riverside, San Mateo, Orange, Los Angeles, Kern and other counties, at elevations of < 1350 m.
What plant family does Salvia clevelandii belong to?
Salvia clevelandii is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Salvia.
What habitat does Salvia clevelandii grow in?
Salvia clevelandii grows in Chaparral, dry slopes, coastal scrub.
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.