Salvia columbariae
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Salvia columbariae is an annual plant of the Lamiaceae that grows in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora, and Baja California. It is often called "golden chia", because its seeds are used in the same manner as chia. It was an important food for Native Americans, although S. hispanica is often substituted in modern practice. Its Tongva name is pashí.
Morphology and Taxonomy
Salvia columbariae is an annual plant that grows 10 to 50 cm. Its stem hairs are generally short and sparse in distribution. It has oblong-ovate basal leaves that are 2 to 10 cm long. The leaves themselves are pinnately dissected and the lobes are rounded irregularly. The inflorescence is more or less scapose, meaning it has a long peduncle that comes from the ground level that has bracts. The bracts are round and awn-tipped. There are usually 1-2 cluster of flowers within the inflorescence. The calyx is 8 to 10 mm long and the upper lip is unlobed but has 2 (sometimes 3) awns. The lower lip is about twice the size of the upper lip. The flower color can be pale blue to blue and purple tipped. The stamens of the plant are slightly exserted. The fruit of S. columbariae is a nutlet that is tan to grey in color and 1.5 to 2 mm in length.
Ecology
Salvia columbariae can be founded in dry disturbed sites, chaparral, and coastal-sage scrub. It generally grows at elevations less than 1200 meters. In cultivation, it needs good drainage, sun, and dry weather to grow to its fullest potential.
Sources
- Hickman, James C. The Jepson Manual Higher Plants of California. University of California Press, Berkeley Los Angeles London. (1993).
- USDA Natuaral resources Conservation Service. [web application]. 2006. Available: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SACO6/. (Accessed: May, 25 2006)
