- Salvia viridis
Taxobox | name = "Salvia viridis"
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Lamiales
familia =Lamiaceae
genus = "Salvia "
species = "S. viridis"
binomial = "Salvia viridis"
binomial_authority = L."Salvia viridis" (Annual Clary;Orval; syn. "S. horminum" L.) is an
annual plant native to southernEurope . It grows up to 40 cm high. It bears pink or purpleflower s, which are insignificant compared to the showy colouredbract s that surround them. These bracts may be up to 4 cm long, and in cultivated forms they may be blue, pink, or white.Fact|date=June 2008Physical Characteristics
Annual growing to 0.5 m by 0.2 m. It is in flower from June to August. The scented flowers are
hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees. It is noted for attracting wildlife.Fact|date=June 2008The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil.It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.
Edible Uses
Condiment; Leaves; Seed.
Leaves - raw or cooked. They are very aromatic and are added to salads, soups and cooked greens. They are also used as a flavouring.
Seed - cooked or used as a flavouring.The leaves and the seeds, when added to fermenting liquors, greatly increase the potency of the brew.
Medicinal Uses
Antiseptic; Aromatic.The leaves and flowering stems are aromatic and antiseptic. They make a good gargle for treating sore gums.
Cultivation details
Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position. Prefers a rich soil. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet.The plant is strongly aromatic. The flowers can be air-dried and used as everlasting flowers.A good bee plant.
Propagation
Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.
References
* [http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Salvia+&SPECIES_XREF=viridis&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK= Flora Europaea: "Salvia viridis"]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
