''Salvia holwayi'' is a herbaceous perennial native to Guatemala at elevations of 3,000–9,000 feet and at similar elevations in the Mexican state of
Chiapas
Chiapas (; Tzotzil language, Tzotzil and Tzeltal language, Tzeltal: ''Chyapas'' ), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Chiapas ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Chiapas), is one of the states that make up the Political divisions of Mexico, ...
, where it frequently makes an understory in mixed pine and oak forests and thickets. It was named after 19th century plant and fungi collector
Edward Willet Dorland Holway
Edward is an English given name. It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name ''Ēadweard'', composed of the elements '' ēad'' "wealth, fortune; prosperous" and '' weard'' "guardian, protector”.
History
The name Edward was very popular in Anglo-Sax ...
.
''Salvia holwayi'' grows 3–5 feet tall and can easily spread to 8–10 ft in one year. Its long floppy stems grow over and into other shrubs and trees, with many 8 in inflorescences on each stem. The cardinal-red flowers are almost 1 inch long and inflated in the center. With the many inflorescences, and the closely spaced flowers blooming at the same time, the plant is very showy. The deltoid leaves are yellow-green with pronounced veining, varying in size, and averaging about 2 in long and 1 in wide. The plant is very luxurious looking.
Notes
holwayi
Flora of Guatemala
Flora of Mexico
{{Salvia-stub