Salvia greatae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Salvia greatae |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Salvia
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| Species: |
greatae
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Salvia greatae, also known as Orocopia sage or lavender sage, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the mint family, called Lamiaceae.
Where Does Orocopia Sage Grow?
This plant only grows in California, which means it is endemic to that state. You can find it in the mountains of the Colorado Desert in southern Riverside and northern Imperial Counties. It mainly lives in the Orocopia and Chocolate Mountains.
Orocopia sage likes to grow in areas of the Sonoran Desert. It often grows on floodplains, which are flat lands next to rivers that can flood. It also grows along the edges of washes, which are dry riverbeds that fill with water after rain. While it's not found everywhere, it can be the main plant in some parts of its favorite habitat.
What Does Orocopia Sage Look Like?
Salvia greatae is a small, round shrub. It usually grows to be less than 1 meter (about 3 feet) tall. Its many branches are covered in tiny, sticky hairs.
The leaves are hairy and stay on the plant all year. They are about 2 centimeters (less than an inch) long. Their edges have several sharp, pointed teeth, each with a small spine.
The flowers grow in groups along the plant's branches. Each flower has a tube-like shape with two lips. It is about 1 centimeter long and is a pretty pinkish-purple color. Spiny leaf-like parts called sepals surround the flower. The whole plant has a nice, strong smell.
