Salvia coccinea, the blood sage,[1] scarlet sage, Texas sage, or tropical sage,[2] is a herbaceous perennial in the family Lamiaceae that is widespread throughout the Southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America (Colombia, Peru, and Brazil).[2] At one time Brazil was considered to be where it originated, but its diploid chromosome count now points to Mexico as its place of origin.[3]
| Salvia coccinea | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Salvia |
| Species: | S. coccinea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Salvia coccinea | |
Taxonomy
editIts specific epithet, coccinea, means "scarlet-dyed" (Latin), referring to the color of its flowers.[4]
Description
editThe plant reaches 2 to 4 ft (0.61 to 1.22 m) in height, with many branches, and a spread of about 2.5 ft (0.76 m). The hairy leaves, scalloped on the edges, are pea green, varying in size, all the way up to 3 in (7.6 cm) long and 2 in (5.1 cm) wide. Flower color and size is quite variable.[3] The naturalized variety is typically tubular, bright red, about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) long.[5] Flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds and butterflies.[6]
Cultivation
editSalvia coccinea is commonly grown as an annual species. It is cultivated in urban green areas as well as in private gardens around the world. It has a long flowering period, from the start of summer to the end of autumn.[7][failed verification] Cultivated varieties include orange-red, pink, salmon, red, white, and scarlet, as well as bi-colored varieties.[3] The plant can survive winter in USDA Hardiness Zones Zones 8–10.[8]
References
edit- ^ NRCS. "Salvia coccinea". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- ^ a b "Salvia coccinea". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
- ^ a b c Clebsch, Betsy; Barner, Carol D. (2003). The New Book of Salvias. Timber Press. pp. 82–84. ISBN 978-0-88192-560-9.
- ^ Holloway, Joel Ellis; Neill, Amanda (2005). A Dictionary of Common Wildflowers of Texas & the Southern Great Plains. TCU Press. p. 135. ISBN 978-0-87565-309-9.
- ^ Nelson, Gil (2005). East Gulf Coastal Plain Wildflowers. Globe Pequot. p. 212. ISBN 978-0-7627-2718-6.
- ^ "#507 Salvia coccinea". Floridata. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
- ^ Stratu, Anişoara; Costică, Naela (2015-10-01). "The Influence Of Zinc On Seed Germination And Growth In The First Ontogenetic Stages In The Species Cucumis Melo L." Present Environment and Sustainable Development. 9 (2): 215–228. doi:10.1515/pesd-2015-0038. ISSN 2284-7820.
- ^ Fine Gardening: Salvia coccinea (Texas sage, Hummingbird sage)
External links
edit
Media related to Salvia coccinea at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Salvia coccinea at Wikispecies
- Salvia coccinea in Native Plant Database at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Salvia coccinea information page at University of Florida Extension
- "Salvia coccinea - Species Details". Atlas of Florida Plants. University of South Florida. 2015-08-14. Retrieved 2021-07-19.