Salvia dorrii var. dorrii
Dorr's sage
Photo: parent species Salvia dorrii · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Salvia dorrii var. dorrii (Dorr's sage) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by hair length and leaf shape distinguish from var. pilosa.
Dorr's sage is a California native shrub found in the Great Basin and Mojave Desert bioregions on dry flats and slopes at elevations of 450 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces small flowers in compact clusters. Growing with spreading to erect stems that reach 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it forms an open, somewhat irregular shape. Its leaves are relatively small, measuring 0.6 to 2 centimeters long, with a distinctive narrow shape that abruptly tapers toward the stem. The plant's compact form and ability to thrive in dry, harsh environments make it well-adapted to arid desert and high desert landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; hair length and leaf shape distinguish from var. pilosa
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry flats, slopes
Elevation: 450-3200 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Mono, Modoc, Siskiyou, Lassen, Riverside, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Benito, Orange, Santa Barbara
Outside California: to Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Salvia dorrii var. dorrii 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 dorrii var. dorrii native to California?
Yes. Salvia dorrii var. dorrii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salvia dorrii var. dorrii bloom?
Salvia dorrii var. dorrii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Salvia dorrii var. dorrii grow?
Salvia dorrii var. dorrii occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Mono, Modoc, Siskiyou, Lassen, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of 450-3200 m.
What plant family does Salvia dorrii var. dorrii belong to?
Salvia dorrii var. dorrii is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Salvia.
What habitat does Salvia dorrii var. dorrii grow in?
Salvia dorrii var. dorrii grows in dry flats, slopes.
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.