About Salvia purpurea Cav.
Salvia purpurea Cav. is a herbaceous perennial plant. It is native to multiple Mexican states, and its range extends south into Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. It was first formally described by Antonio José Cavanilles in 1793. It has only recently been used in horticulture, and is rarely offered for sale by nurseries. Mature plants reach up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) in height, and are smaller in width. It has ovate yellow-green leaves with serrated edges. Inflorescences start to grow in mid-autumn, and the plant continues blooming through winter. The flowers are pinkish purple-violet, arranged in tight verticils that appear unbalanced on one side of the flower spike. The 0.75 inch (19 mm) flowers are tightly packed at the ends of numerous flowering branches.
