Salvia viridis

Salvia viridis
File:Salvia viridis.JPG
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Salvia
Species:	S. viridis
Binomial name
Salvia viridis L.
Synonyms
Salvia horminum L.

Salvia viridis (annual clary, orval) is an annual plant native to an area extending from the Mediterranean to the Crimea and into Iran.

Taxonomy

Salvia viridis was known as Salvia horminum for many years, as Carl Linnaeus described S. viridis and S. horminum as separate species in 1753. Some modern botanists still believe that they are two separate species.

• viridis, from the Greek, refers to the color green, with implications of youth and vigor.
• horminum, from the Greek word for sage.

Description

Salvia viridis quickly grows to 1 to 2 feet (0.30 to 0.61 m) tall and 1 foot (0.30 m) wide, with a flowering period of over a month.

Colorful bracts almost hide the tiny two-lipped flowers, which are cream-colored, with the upper lip tinged with purple or rose, reflecting the bract color.

Uses

The seeds and leaves of Salvia viridis have been added to fermenting vats to "greatly increase the inebriating quality of the liquor."

An infusion of the leaves was used for sore gums, and powdered leaves for snuff. It was also reported to be a good honey-producing plant.

Cultivation

Salvia viridis is cultivated as an ornamental plant, planted in gardens. The flowers last well as cut flowers or dried flowers.

The plant prefers friable soil, good drainage, moderate water, and three-quarters to a full day of sunlight. Seed can be sown in late March in a greenhouse or directly into the border after the last frost.

References

• Flora Europaea: Salvia viridis