Salvia

Salvia is the largest genus of plants in the sage family Lamiaceae, with nearly 1000 species of shrubs, herbaceous perennials, and annuals.[3][4][5] Within the Lamiaceae, Salvia is part of the tribe Mentheae within the subfamily Nepetoideae.[3] One of several genera commonly referred to as sage, it includes two widely used herbs, Salvia officinalis (common sage, or just “sage”) and Salvia rosmarinus (rosemary, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis).

The genus is distributed throughout the Old World and the Americas (over 900 total species), with three distinct regions of diversity: Central America and South America (approx. 600 species); Central Asia and the Mediterranean (250 species); Eastern Asia (90 species).[3]

The name Salvia (“salviya”) derives from the Latin salvere (“to feel well and healthy, health, heal”), the verb related to salus (health, well-being, prosperity or salvation), referring to the herb’s healing properties. Pliny the Elder was the first author known to describe a plant called “Salvia” by the Romans, likely describing the type species for the genus Salvia, Salvia officinalis.

The common modern English name sage derives from Middle English sawge, which was borrowed from Old French sauge, and like the botanical name, stems from Latin salvere.[6][7] When used without modifiers, the name ‘sage’ generally refers to Salvia officinalis (“common sage” or “culinary sage”); however, it is used with modifiers to refer to any member of the genus. The ornamental species are commonly referred to by their genus name Salvia.

Salvia species include annual, biennial, or perennial herbaceous plants, along with woody subshrubs. The stems are typically angled like other members in Lamiaceae. The leaves are typically entire, but sometimes toothed or pinnately divided. The flowering stems bear small bracts, dissimilar to the basal leaves—in some species the bracts are ornamental and showy.