''Salvia sonomensis'' (Sonoma sage, creeping sage) is a low-growing

perennial plant A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...

that is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...

to California.

Description

''Salvia sonomensis'', as suggested by its common name "creeping sage", is a mat-forming subshrub with stems growing up to about tall, with inflorescences that stand above the foliage. The species is highly variable in leaf shape and size and in flower color. Leaves can be long and narrow, or shorter and rounded, with leaf color also showing a wide range from yellow-green to gray-green. Flowers can be pale lavender, lavender-purple, or lavender-blue.

Taxonomy

The specific epithet, ''sonomensis'', refers to Sonoma County, California, one of the areas where it is found.

Distribution and habitat

''S. sonomensis'' is found in three distinct areas in California: the

California Coastal Range The Coast Ranges of California span from Del Norte or Humboldt County, California, south to Santa Barbara County. The other three coastal California mountain ranges are the Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges and the Klamath Mountains. P ...

from Siskiyou to Napa county; from Monterey county to San Diego county; and in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It can be found growing under elevation on dry hillsides and woodlands.

Cultivation

''Salvia sonomensis'' is easy to grow in cultivation, except in heavy clay soils and where there is too much irrigation. There are several different varieties, based on the different leaf types and flower colors. Two particularly hardy selections that were chosen from higher elevations are 'Cone Peak' and 'Serra Peak'. 'John Farmar-Bowers' is a white flowered variety. There are also two hybrids that are believed to be a cross between ''S. sonomensis'' and '' S. mellifera'': 'Dara's Choice' and 'Mrs. Beard'.

Stimulant use

According to Dale Pendell, in his book ''Pharmako/poeia'', "''Salvia sonomensis'' contains a camphorlike substance that is a mild stimulant when smoked."

Notes

References

Jepson Manual Treatment - ''Salvia sonomensis''

USDA Plants Profile; ''Salvia sonomensis''''Salvia sonomensis'' - Photo gallery
{{Taxonbar, from=Q7406900 sonomensis Endemic flora of California Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands Natural history of the California Coast Ranges Flora of the Sierra Nevada (United States) Garden plants of North America Drought-tolerant plants Groundcovers Flora without expected TNC conservation status