Characteristics:

Emerging from moist and sandy soils typically found in woods, clearings, thickets, and streambanks, salvia lyrata, a member of the mint family, features whorls of two-lipped, 1 inch long, lavender blue flowers adorning interrupted spikes that rise above the foliage about 1 to 2 feet. The foliage consists of irregularly lobed, basal leaves. 

Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. Prefers moist, sandy or clay soils. Tolerates very light shade, but best in full sun. Also tolerates heat and humidity. Self-seeds and naturalizes in optimum growing conditions.

Medicinal Properties: 

Carminative, diaphoretic and a laxative. Commonly used to treat sore throat and other mouth ailments. As a member of the mint family, salvia is sweet to the taste. The young leaves can be used in a salad, and older leaves are more appropriate in soups. 

Etymology:

Genus name comes from the Latin word salveo meaning to save or heal in reference to the purported medically curative properties attributed to some plants in the genus. Specific epithet means shaped like a lyre for the leaves that are often somewhat lyre-shaped.

Salvia lyrata

Lyre-leaf Sage

Family: Lamiaceae

Type: Herbaceous perennial

Height: 1’ - 2’  

Spread: .75’ to 1’

Bloom: Purple, April to June

Water: Medium

Sunlight: Full sun

Tolerates: Deer, clay soil, dry soil, shallow-rocky soil

Attracts: Butterflies

 Plant Communities