Salvia mellifera
Black sage
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Salvia mellifera (Black sage) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by pale flowers and oblong leaves distinctive among coastal species.
Black sage is a California native shrub found in coastal and southern California bioregions in coastal-sage scrub and lower chaparral at elevations below 1,350 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white to pale blue or lavender flowers in compact clusters up to 4 centimeters wide. Growing as an erect shrub 1 to 2 meters tall with glandular hairs, it has a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are oblong-elliptic to obovate, 2.5 to 7 centimeters long, with a puckered surface that is nearly smooth on top and hairy underneath. The plant's small fruits are 2 to 3 millimeters long and generally brown in color.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; pale flowers and oblong leaves distinctive among coastal species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal-sage scrub, lower chaparral
Elevation: < 1350 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Santa Cruz, Kern, Alameda, San Mateo, Fresno, Siskiyou, Amador, Marin, Merced, San Joaquin, Humboldt, Shasta, Colusa
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Salvia mellifera blooms Mar-Jun.
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 mellifera native to California?
Yes. Salvia mellifera is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salvia mellifera bloom?
Salvia mellifera blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Salvia mellifera grow?
Salvia mellifera occurs in Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of < 1350 m.
What plant family does Salvia mellifera belong to?
Salvia mellifera is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Salvia.
What habitat does Salvia mellifera grow in?
Salvia mellifera grows in Coastal-sage scrub, lower chaparral.
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.