Common Name:

General Information

Salvia chamelaeagnea is a much-branched, erect, evergreen shrub forming a cluster of growth from a woody rootstock and growing around 60 - 200cm tall and 50 - 120cm wide[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern Africa - S. Africa (Cape Province)

Habitat

Seepage areas, riverbeds and in sandy soil among rocks[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

For best results, these plants require full sun, well-drained, good garden soil and regular water, especially in winter[]
Plants commence flowering in their second year of growth from seed[].
Salvia chamelaeagnea is well adapted to survive fires, which regularly sweep though the fynbos vegetation, by resprouting from its woody rootstock[].
The leaves are dotted with glands which emit a very strong scent when touched and leave a sticky, bitter-tasting residue on fingers[]
Plants can be maintained in the garden for several years, but need to be cut back after flowering to keep them tidy and vigorous[]

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Like many of the other sages, Salvia chamelaeagnea is used to treat a wide variety ailments such as coughs, colds, diarrhoea, colic, heartburn and flatulence. A tea, to be sipped slowly a few times a day, is usually made from the fresh or dried leaves and flowers[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a seed tray filled with a well-drained medium. The young seedlings grow fast and can be planted into individual containers as soon as they are big enough to handle. They respond well to organic fertilizers and can be planted out as soon as the roots are nice and strong[], though in areas with cold winters it could be best to grow them on in the nursery for their first winter. The tips of the stems can be pinched to form bushy plants.
Cuttings can be made from the young shoots which form at the bottom of the plant in spring and early summer[]