Salvia coccinea

Salvia coccinea
File:Texas sage (1571020768).jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Salvia
Species:	S. coccinea
Binomial name
Salvia coccinea Buc'hoz ex Etl.

Salvia coccinea, the blood sage, scarlet sage, Texas sage, or tropical sage, is a herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae family that is widespread throughout the Southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America (Colombia, Peru, and Brazil). At one time Brazil was considered to be where it originated, but its diploid chromosome count now points to Mexico as its place of origin.

Taxonomy

Its specific epithet, coccinea, means "scarlet-dyed" (Latin), referring to the color of its flowers.

Description

The plant reaches 2 to 4 ft (0.61 to 1.22 m) in height, with many branches, and a spread of about 2.5 ft (0.76 m). The hairy leaves, scalloped on the edges, are pea green, varying in size, all the way up to 3 in (7.6 cm) long and 2 in (5.1 cm) wide. Flower color and size is quite variable. The naturalized variety is typically tubular, bright red, about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) long. Flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds and butterflies.

Cultivation

Cultivated varieties include orange-red, pink, salmon, red, white, and scarlet, and include bi-colored varieties. The plant is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones Zones 8-10.

External links

Media related to at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Salvia coccinea at Wikispecies

• Salvia coccinea in UDSA PLANTS Database
• Salvia coccinea in Native Plant Database at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
• Salvia coccinea information page at University of Florida Extension