African sage (Salvia aethiopis, Sp. Pl.: 27 (1753))

Family: Lamiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 27 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Salvia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to C. Asia

Description

African sage, scientifically known as Salvia aethiopis, is a significant species belonging to the family Lamiaceae. This herbaceous plant was first described comprehensively in the seminal botanical work “Species Plantarum” which was published in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, denoted by the abbreviation “L.” following the plant’s Latin name.

The native range of African sage extends broadly from Europe to Central Asia, indicating its adaptability to various climatic conditions and terrains. Its inherent resilience and wide geographical distribution highlight its ecological versatility. Typically, Salvia aethiopis is distinguished by its robust build and aromatic foliage, features characteristic of many plants within the mint family, Lamiaceae.

Botanically, African sage is significant not only for its hardy nature but also for its historical and contemporary uses in various cultural contexts. The plant’s potential applications range from traditional medicine to ornamental horticulture, thanks to its unique properties and appealing aesthetic.

In summary, Salvia aethiopis or African sage, is a globally recognized species marked by a rich history of botanical study and a diverse habitat range. Its status within the esteemed Linnaean taxonomy underscores its prominence in the plant kingdom and highlights its continued relevance in botanical research and horticulture.

Common Names

Eng: african sage, mediterranean sage
Deu: mohren-salbei, ungarischer salbei
Swe: kandelabersalvia
En: African sage, Mediterranean sage
Ar: قصعين أثيوبي
Bg: Етиопски конски босилек
Ca: Orpesa
Cs: Šalvěj etiopská
Fr: Sauge d’Éthiopie
De: Mohren-Salbei, Ungarischer Salbei, Ungarn-Salbei, Filzblättriger Salbei, Silberblatt-Salbei
Hu: Magyar zsálya
It: Salvia etiopide
Pl: Szałwia etiopska
Pt-br: Salvia-moura
Ru: Шалфей эфиопский
Es: Oropesa
Sv: Kandelabersalvia
Uk: Шавлія ефіопська

Synonyms

• Salvia leuconeura (Boiss.)
• Aethiopis vera (Fourr.)
• Sclarea aethiopis ((L.) Mill.)
• Salvia kochiana (Kunze)
• Sclarea lanata (Moench)
• Salvia idanensis (Gand.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 17, 2022 by Raúl (Este Madrid) (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2022 by Raúl (Este Madrid) (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 1, 2021 by Ülker Muhammed (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 17, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude CALAIS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2020 by Centeno Juan D (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jun 9, 2018 by Tomás Marín (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 27, 2022 by Raúl (Este Madrid) (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 19, 2020 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2018 by Kadda Chouhim (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2018 by Tomás Marín (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 15, 1999 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2927030)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:455581-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Salvia aethiopis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 7