Grape-scented sage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grape-scented sage |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification |
Salvia melissodora is a special plant often called Grape-scented sage. It's a type of woody shrub that grows year after year. You can find it high up in the mountains of Mexico, specifically in the Sierra Madre Oriental range.
This plant grows at elevations from about 4,000 to 8,000 feet. That's like being on top of a really tall building! It stretches from Chihuahua in the north all the way down to Oaxaca in the south.
Some people also call this plant tarahumara. This name comes from the Tarahumara people. They have used the leaves and seeds of this plant for hundreds of years. They use it for traditional medicine.
The name "melissodora" has a cool meaning. It comes from two Greek words. "Melissa" means honeybee, and "odora" means fragrance. This name makes sense because the flowers are very fragrant. They are also full of sweet nectar. This attracts many insects, especially bees! There's even a Greek myth about a nymph named Melissa. She was known for collecting honey.
About Grape-Scented Sage
Salvia melissodora is a woody shrub. It can grow quite tall, up to 6 feet high. It can also spread out about 4 feet wide. This plant has a graceful, upright shape.
Leaves and Scent
The leaves of the Grape-scented sage are about 1 to 1.5 inches long. They are oval-shaped and a nice mid-green color on top. If you look underneath, you'll see clear veins. These veins stand out because they are covered in soft, chamois-colored hairs.
Even when the leaves are partly dry, they give off a lovely smell. But the flowers are even more famous for their scent. Many people say they smell just like grapes!
Beautiful Flowers
The flowers grow in short clusters. Each cluster has several groups of flowers. The top part of the flower is a pretty violet-lavender color. The bottom part, and the back of the top part, are a lighter pale lavender.
These flowers are packed with nectar. This sweet liquid is a favorite treat for many creatures. Bees, butterflies, and other insects love them. Hummingbirds also visit these flowers often. You can see them blooming from late spring until the first frost of winter.
