Native Plants
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Salvia carduacea
Salvia carduacea Benth.
Thistle Sage
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: SACA8
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A handsome, whitish-woolly plant with vivid lavender, bilaterally symmetrical flowers in a stacked series of prickly round clusters near top of leafless stems.
This is one of the most beautiful native sages; the brilliant lavender flowers are strikingly contrasted against the pale foliage, and the vermilion anthers provide color accent.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Fruit: Nutlets.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PurpleBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Purple to lavender with white throats.
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: Central California south to Baja California.
Native Habitat: Sandy or gravelly, open places.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 36 - Jepson eFlora (2019) The Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Salvia carduacea in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Salvia carduacea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Salvia carduacea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-07Research By: TWC Staff