About Salvia microphylla Kunth
Salvia microphylla Kunth reaches 1 to 1.3 meters (3.3 to 4.3 feet) in both height and width. It blooms during its first year of growth, and reaches full size in its second year. Its leaves are ovate, come in varying sizes, and are either smooth or lightly covered in fine hairs. When crushed, the leaves release a strong fragrance that has been described as both pleasant and mint-like, and similar to blackcurrants. This scent similarity is the origin of its common English name, blackcurrant sage. The plant sometimes spreads via underground growth to form dense patches. Along with its cultivars and hybrids, S. microphylla blooms heavily in late spring and again in autumn, with sporadic blooming year-round in mild climates. Its flowers grow in whorled arrangements, and come in a wide range of colors including magenta, red, pink, and rose. In central Mexico, Salvia microphylla is cultivated as a medicinal plant, and is used to make tea.
