Salvia mohavensis
Mohave sage
(c) Quinn Shemet, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Salvia mohavensis (Mohave sage) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by brilliant blue flowers and large papery bracts distinctive.
Mohave sage is a California native shrub found in the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert's Whipple Mountains in dry, rocky slopes, blackbrush scrub, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 300 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from March to October, this plant produces sky-blue to dark blue flowers in showy white to dark blue papery bracts that are generally 1 to 1.5 centimeters long. Growing as a compact shrub less than 1 meter tall with minute simple hairs, it develops erect stems with distinctive foliage. Its leaves are lance-oblong to ovate, 1.5 to 2 centimeters long, with small rounded teeth and a puckered surface that ranges from tapered to slightly truncate at the base. Some specimens feature glandular hairs on leaves and stems, adding to the plant's subtle textural complexity.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; brilliant blue flowers and large papery bracts distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Locally common, dry, rocky slopes, blackbrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 300-1500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo
Outside California: Arizona
Bloom period
Salvia mohavensis blooms Mar-Oct.
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 mohavensis native to California?
Yes. Salvia mohavensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salvia mohavensis bloom?
Salvia mohavensis blooms Mar-Oct.
Where in California does Salvia mohavensis grow?
Salvia mohavensis occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, at elevations of 300-1500 m.
What plant family does Salvia mohavensis belong to?
Salvia mohavensis is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Salvia.
What habitat does Salvia mohavensis grow in?
Salvia mohavensis grows in Locally common, dry, rocky slopes, blackbrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland.
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.