''Salvia lyrata'' (lyre-leaf sage, lyreleaf sage, wild sage, cancerweed), is a herbaceous perennial in the family
Lamiaceae
The Lamiaceae ( )
or Labiatae are a family of flowering plants commonly known as the mint, deadnettle or sage family. Many of the plants are aromatic in all parts and include widely used culinary herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory ...
that is native to the
United States, from
Connecticut west to
Missouri, and in the south from
Florida west to
Texas.
It was described and named by
Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
Description
''Salvia lyrata'' forms a basal rosette of leaves that are up to long, broadening toward the tip. The leaves have irregular margins and are typically pinnately lobed or cut, looking somewhat like a
lyre
The lyre () is a stringed musical instrument that is classified by Hornbostel–Sachs as a member of the lute-family of instruments. In organology, a lyre is considered a yoke lute, since it is a lute in which the strings are attached to a yoke ...
. The center vein is sometimes dark wine-purple. A square-shaped hairy stem up to long grows from the rosette, with uneven whorls of two-lipped lavender to blue flowers. Flowering is heaviest between April and June, though sparse flowering can happen throughout the year. The leaves were once thought to be an external cure for cancer, thus one of the common names "Cancerweed". ''Salvia lyrata'' grows in full sun or light to medium shade, with native stands found on roadsides, fields, and open woodlands.
Cultivation and uses
''Salvia lyrata'' is sometimes grown in
gardens for its attractive foliage and flowers, though it can prolifically seed, easily spreading into lawns. Its ability to thrive despite being mowed and walked on, however, mean it can be used as a turf grass alternative that is attractive to bees. Several
cultivars have been developed with purple leaves. 'Burgundy Bliss' and 'Purple Knockout' are two cultivars with burgundy leaves that are deeper in color than the species.
Native Americans used the root as a salve for sores, and used the whole plant as a tea for colds and coughs.
Gallery
Notes
External links
IPNI ListingUSDA Fact SheetUSDA Plant ProfileUniversity of Texas at Austin description
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{{Taxonbar, from=Q5963510
lyrata
Flora of the Eastern United States
Plants described in 1753
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus