Salvia spathacea
California hummingbird sage, California Hummingbird Sage
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Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Salvia spathacea (California hummingbird sage) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by red flowers and large arrowhead-shaped leaves diagnostic.
California hummingbird sage is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Valley, central western California, southern California coastal areas, and Transverse Ranges in oak woodland, chaparral, and coastal-sage scrub at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces red to salmon flowers in clusters less than 6 centimeters wide, with distinctive tubular blooms 25 to 35 millimeters long. Growing as a mat-like perennial with rhizomes and wavy hairs, it spreads across the ground with multiple stems. Its leaves are large, 8 to 20 centimeters long, with a distinctive oblong-hastate shape that appears puckered, featuring rounded teeth and sparse long hairs on the upper surface. The plant forms dense clusters with green to purple bracts, creating an attractive ground cover favored by hummingbirds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; red flowers and large arrowhead-shaped leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common, oak woodland, chaparral, coastal-sage scrub, open or shady slopes
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Solano, San Mateo, Monterey, Sonoma, Contra Costa, Alameda, Mendocino, San Diego, Yolo
Bloom period
Salvia spathacea blooms Mar-May.
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 spathacea native to California?
Yes. Salvia spathacea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salvia spathacea bloom?
Salvia spathacea blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Salvia spathacea grow?
Salvia spathacea occurs in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Solano, San Mateo and other counties, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Salvia spathacea belong to?
Salvia spathacea is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Salvia.
What habitat does Salvia spathacea grow in?
Salvia spathacea grows in Common, oak woodland, chaparral, coastal-sage scrub, open or shady slopes.
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.