About Salvia dorrii (Kellogg) Abrams
Salvia dorrii is a woody subshrub that grows to 10–70 cm (4–28 in) in both height and width. Its grey-green leaves are narrow and lanceolate, tapered at the base, rounded at the tip, and usually lack teeth or lobes. Most leaves grow at the base of the plant, and are 1–3 cm (3⁄8–1+1⁄8 in) long. The foliage gives off an intense but pleasant, mildly intoxicating minty scent when handled or crushed. Its inflorescence consists of spike-like clusters of many bilaterally symmetric purple flowers. Each cluster measures 12–30 mm (1⁄2–1+1⁄8 in) across. Its bracts are typically round, 5–12 mm (1⁄4–1⁄2 in) long. Each flower calyx is usually 6–11 mm (1⁄4–3⁄8 in); the upper lip of the calyx is most often round, with no teeth or lobes, while the lower lip has pointed lobes that lack spines. Calyx color ranges from blue to purple to rose. The corolla tube is roughly 6–13 mm (1⁄4–1⁄2 in) long; it is often blue, but may also be purple, pink, or white. The stamens and style extend out from the flower, and the tip of the style is forked. After pollination, the flowers stay on the plant, and desiccated flowers remain attached for weeks or months after blooming. This species holds a prominent place in Native American traditional medicine practices. Ecologically, it acts as a larval host plant for the elegant sphinx moth.
