Salvia munzii
Munz's sage
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Salvia munzii (Munz's sage) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by small clusters with large leaf-like bracts and included stamens distinctive.
Munz's sage is a rare California native shrub ranked 2B.2 by CNPS, found in the southern Peninsular Ranges, specifically in the San Miguel Mountains of San Diego County, within coastal-sage scrub and lower chaparral habitats at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from January to May, this plant produces dark blue flowers with a corolla tube 7 to 15 millimeters long, creating small clusters 1 to 1.5 centimeters wide. Growing as a compact shrub less than 2.5 meters tall, it features stems with simple, appressed hairs and an upright, dense structure. Its leaves are distinctively oblanceolate to obovate, 1.3 to 5 centimeters long, with a puckered texture, appearing nearly smooth on the upper surface and densely hairy underneath. The shrub produces small dark brown fruits approximately 1 millimeter in size, complementing its intricate floral and foliage characteristics.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; small clusters with large leaf-like bracts and included stamens distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal-sage scrub, lower chaparral
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: San Diego, Alameda
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Salvia munzii blooms Jan-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 munzii native to California?
Yes. Salvia munzii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salvia munzii bloom?
Salvia munzii blooms Jan-May.
Where in California does Salvia munzii grow?
Salvia munzii occurs in San Diego, Alameda, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Salvia munzii belong to?
Salvia munzii is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Salvia.
Is Salvia munzii rare or endangered?
Salvia munzii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.