Salvia dorrii var. pilosa
Hairy sage
Photo: parent species Salvia dorrii · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Salvia dorrii var. pilosa (Hairy sage) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by long shaggy hairs diagnostic.
Hairy sage is a California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada (eastern slope), Tehachapi, northeastern Transverse Ranges, southeastern Peninsular Ranges, Great Basin, and northern Mojave Desert regions in desert slopes and washes at elevations of 300 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces blue to purple flowers in distinctive clusters with soft, shaggy bracts. Growing with upright stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it forms a dense, compact shrub with woody base. Its leaves are relatively small, 0.4 to 3.2 centimeters long, with a unique shape that narrows abruptly near the base and features soft, textured surfaces. The plant is characterized by its soft-hairy bracts and calyx, giving it a distinctive, fuzzy appearance in arid landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; long shaggy hairs diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert slopes, washes
Elevation: 300-1900 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Modoc, Ventura, Riverside, Tulare, Lassen, Plumas, Humboldt, San Benito, Siskiyou
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona
Bloom period
Salvia dorrii var. pilosa blooms May-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. pilosa native to California?
Yes. Salvia dorrii var. pilosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salvia dorrii var. pilosa bloom?
Salvia dorrii var. pilosa blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Salvia dorrii var. pilosa grow?
Salvia dorrii var. pilosa occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Modoc, Ventura, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of 300-1900 m.
What plant family does Salvia dorrii var. pilosa belong to?
Salvia dorrii var. pilosa is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Salvia.
What habitat does Salvia dorrii var. pilosa grow in?
Salvia dorrii var. pilosa grows in Desert slopes, washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.