Flowers contain forked styles (female parts) and two stamens (male parts) modified to enhance pollination by forcing pollen against pollinators who crawl inside the flower. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Irvine, CA. 4-11-09. © Joan Avise |
Black Sage Salvia mellifera Back to Lamiaceae of Orange County, California |
3-9 whorls arranged along the stem; San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Irvine, CA. 4-11-09. © Joan Avise |
Spherical seed heads remain attached to plant Caspers Wilderness Park, San Jual Capistrano, CA. © Joan Avise |
Two stamens; forked style. James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Beach, CA. 4-24-10. © Joan Avise |
Upper leaf suface wrinkled with rounded teeth. Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 2-09-08. © Joan Avise |
Two stamens; O'Neill Regional Park, Trabuco Cyn, Orange Co., CA. 4-11-10. © Joan Avise |
Greenish bracts covered with meally powder. O'Neill Regional Park, Trabuco Cyn, Orange Co., CA. 4-11-10. © Joan Avise |
Sometimes forms dense thickets, 3-4' high Shipley Nature Center, Huntington Beach., CA. 5-22-10. © Joan Avise |
Seed heads. Woods End Wilderness Preserve, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 08-30-10. © Peter J. Bryant |
The plant, especially the lower leaf surface, is covered with hairs (trichomes) which can be glandular, producing volatile oils that are released when the plant is rubbed, giving off a very aromatic fragrance. The hairs may serve to reduce water loss and the strong odor may serve as protection from insects and grazing animals. (Wikipedia). Lower leaf surface showing glandular hairs 10-15-11. © Joan Avise |
Salvia mellifera x columbariae, Harding Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6-11-15. © Ron Vanderhoff |
Salvia mellifera x columbariae, Harding Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6-11-15. © Ron Vanderhoff |
Salvia mellifera x columbariae, Harding Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6-11-15. © Ron Vanderhoff |
Salvia mellifera x columbariae, Harding Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6-11-15. © Ron Vanderhoff |
Salvia mellifera x columbariae, Harding Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6-11-15. © Ron Vanderhoff |
Salvia mellifera x columbariae, Harding Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6-11-15. © Ron Vanderhoff |
Salvia mellifera x columbariae, Harding Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6-11-15. © Ron Vanderhoff |
Salvia mellifera x columbariae, Harding Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6-11-15. © Ron Vanderhoff |
Salvia mellifera x columbariae, Harding Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange County, CA. 6-11-15. © Ron Vanderhoff |
© Ron Vanderhoff |