California White Sage
Other names
Bee Sage
Growth habit
Shrub
Perennation
Cultivated as annual
Native distribution
California
Biocultural value
Fragrant dried leaves of this California native sage are burned to purify the air during ceremonies as well as after illness. This California sage has intensely fragrant foliage that mellows when dried and can be burned as incense.
Location
Source of plant
Richters
Description
Perennial shrub, to 3m. Stems woody at base, tomentose. Leaves to 10cm, petiolate, simple, ovate or elliptic to oblong, margin subentire to notched, silver-tomentose; petioles tomentose. Verticillasters in erect, much-branched, thyrsoid panicles to 1.5m; calyx to 8mm, apex of teeth acute or obtuse; corolla white, flecked lavender, tube to 7mm, upper lip to 2mm, or more or less obsolete, lower lip falcate, middle lobe laciniate. Fruits to 3mm.
USDA Hardiness Zone
8
Special characteristics
tender perennial, other ethnobotanical uses, fragrance