Salvia pachyphylla
Blue sage
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Salvia pachyphylla (Blue sage) is a native California shrub in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit and thick spoon-shaped leaves distinctive.
Blue sage is a California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, and Desert Mountains in dry slopes and pinyon/juniper to yellow-pine forest at elevations of 1,200 to 3,050 meters. Flowering from February to October, this plant produces blue-violet to rose-colored flowers 8 to 13 millimeters long with intricate papery bracts ranging from green to purple. Growing as a low, prostrate shrub 20 to 80 centimeters tall that roots at its nodes, it spreads with a distinctive scaly appearance. Its obovate to spoon-shaped leaves measure 2 to 5 centimeters long with wavy, nearly entire margins that contribute to its soft, textured profile. The fruit is a small tan to brown structure 2.5 to 3 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; prostrate habit and thick spoon-shaped leaves distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, pinyon/juniper to yellow-pine forest
Elevation: 1200-3050 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, Inyo, Tulare
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Salvia pachyphylla blooms Feb-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 pachyphylla native to California?
Yes. Salvia pachyphylla is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salvia pachyphylla bloom?
Salvia pachyphylla blooms Feb-Oct.
Where in California does Salvia pachyphylla grow?
Salvia pachyphylla occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, Inyo, Tulare, at elevations of 1200-3050 m.
What plant family does Salvia pachyphylla belong to?
Salvia pachyphylla is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Salvia.
What habitat does Salvia pachyphylla grow in?
Salvia pachyphylla grows in dry slopes, pinyon/juniper to yellow-pine forest.
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.