Clary Sage
Salvia sclarea
Lamiaceae
Growth habit
Herbaceous
Perennation
Biennial
Biocultural value
Essential oil extracted from the leaves is widely used in perfumes. It also imparts a muscatel flavor to Rhine wine, vermouths and liqueurs. An amber-scented extract is used to flavor tobacco. Fresh leaves have a sharp balsamic fragrance, but yield a grape-scented essential oil which is used in perfume.
Location
Source of plant
J.L. Hudson, Seedsman
Description
Stems pink; leaves petiolate; flowers in spikes to 75cm, white, flecked pink.
USDA Hardiness Zone
5
Special characteristics
tender perennial, other ethnobotanical uses, fragrance