About Salvia carduacea Benth.
Salvia carduacea, commonly called thistle sage, is an annual herb native to California and Baja California. It can be found growing at elevations up to 1400 m. Its mature height varies drastically based on environmental conditions, ranging between 15 cm and 1 m. Its woolly white basal leaves, which feature long spines, resemble the leaves of a thistle. Flowers grow in whorls on woolly, spiny calyces. The blooms are a vivid lavender color, with bright orange anthers. The plant’s foliage has a pungent scent that is similar to citronella.
