Salvia coccinea

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Salvia coccinea
Salvia coccinea 259451924.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Salvia
Species:
S. coccinea
Binomial name
Salvia coccinea

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]

Contents

Taxonomy

Its specific epithet, coccinea, means "scarlet-dyed" (Latin), referring to the color of its flowers. [4]

Description

The 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

Salvia 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

  1. ↑ NRCS. "Salvia coccinea". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Salvia coccinea". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 2009-12-15.
  3. 1 2 3 Clebsch, Betsy; Barner, Carol D. (2003). The New Book of Salvias. Timber Press. pp. 82–84. ISBN   978-0-88192-560-9.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ Nelson, Gil (2005). East Gulf Coastal Plain Wildflowers. Globe Pequot. p. 212. ISBN   978-0-7627-2718-6.
  6. ↑ "#507 Salvia coccinea". Floridata. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Fine Gardening: Salvia coccinea (Texas sage, Hummingbird sage)

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