Plant Characteristics: Shrub about 1.5-3.0 ft. high, branches subterete and white with finally deciduous wool; lvs. short-petioled, 2-6 in. long, lanceolate-linear, acute, crenate, rugose, pubescent above, tomentose beneath; floral bracts ovate, acuminate, shorter than calyx, deciduous; racemes 6-10 in. long, whorls many-fld., the lower rather remote; calyx funnel-shaped, with about equal lobes, densely violet to lavender-lanate; corolla white, .625-.75 inches long, swollen at throat, without a hairy ring inside, limb lanate with upper lip much exceeding lower; anterior portion of connectives deflexed, linear.

Habitat: Escape from cultivation here but will grow in a large range of climates throughout California where water is available; zones 10-24. (Sunset New Western Garden Book, 1984 edition, 459. Blooms summer and fall.

Name: Latin, sal-via, name used by Pliny, meaning safe, unharmed, referring to the medicinal properties of some of the species. Leuc-anthus, white flowered. (Bailey 858, 17). Greek, leuc, white. Greek, anthos, a flower. (Jaeger 140, 20). Leucantha, referring to the white corolla.

General: Rare in the study area with only two plants known; these on the northerly facing slope of 23^rd St. about half way from the bottom to the top. In a garden at the top of the bluff, there are several Salvia leucantha plants visible and I assume that seed from these plants is responsible for the plants down the bluff. (my comments).

Text Ref: Bailey 858; Sunset New Western Garden Book, 1984 edition, 459.

Photo Ref: May 06 # 4A,7A.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.

First Found: May 2006.

Have plant specimen.

Computer Ref: Plant Data 564.

Last edit: 7/15/06.