Family: Lamiaceae

Long-lived perennial plant reaching about a foot high, and only slightly wider. This is a vigorous sage which propagates via underground spreading runners and seeds. Purplish blue to sky blue flowers in warm weather, especially summer.

Part sun, moderate water, hardy to -20°F, cut back as necessary.

Hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators use this plant. Probably a larval host for several moth species.

There are 1045 species of Salvia all over the world. The genus name Salvia comes from the name used by Pliny for common sage (Salvia officinalis) and comes from the Latin word 'salvere' meaning "to save" in reference to the long-believed healing properties of several Sage species. The species name, arizonica, refers to where this species is often found.

Found in rich, moist soils, in forests from 7,000-9,500 ft. mostly in Arizona, Sonora, and a few disjunct populations in and near the Big Bend area in Texas.

Photo by Max Licher, SEINET
Salvia arizonica on iNaturalist