About Salvia disermas L.
Salvia disermas, commonly called dassie sage, is a herbaceous perennial evergreen shrub native to South Africa, specifically the Cape Provinces, the Free State, and the Northern Provinces. It can be found growing in streambeds, moist forest, grassland, and disturbed ground, and also grows throughout west Africa, with its greatest concentration in South Africa. In South Africa, it is used medicinally as a tea, and as a lotion to treat sores. This species was originally named rugosa, before its scientific name was changed to Salvia disermas. It reaches approximately 2 ft (0.61 m) in both height and width, with numerous stems growing from its rootstock. Each stem produces multiple upward-curving inflorescences. The plant's flowers range in color from icy white to pale mauve, are less than 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long, and are held in a small green calyx. While individual flowers are not showy, the plant blooms profusely and is rarely out of bloom. Its long narrow leaves are pale apple-green, and carry a fragrance similar to hay.
