Plants of the UNF Campus
Salvia coccinea - Wild sage, Tropical sage, Fireweed
Family Lamiaceae
Description:
About 900 species of Salvia
range around the world. They are herbaceous plants, shrubs, vines, trees. Besides
the use of several species as garden ornamentals, some are used as spices,
foods, and aromatic oils. This species is native to the southern United States, Mexico, and the
Caribbean. It is attractive as a naturalized
wildflower or as a garden plant. Typically, bright red flowers are held on
upright spikes above the foliage throughout the growing season. The flowers are
attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Location:
See this plant at the east side of building 10.
Size:
Herbaceous perennial in warm climates growing to two feet tall or more. It flowers quickly from seed and may be grown as an annual in colder climates.
Care Instructions:
Light: sun to shade
Water: well-drained soil, drought tolerant, also tolerates irrigation
Soil: adaptable to soil types, no other special requirements
In Florida, this is an adaptable native plant that seems to grow best where competition from other plants is low. In Jacksonville, it seems to be at or near its northern limit as a perennial. Winter low temperatures around the mid-20’s F can kill plants but seedlings usually replace them in the following spring.
Salvia coccinea
Wild sage, Tropical sage, Fireweed
Lamiaceae
About 900 species of Salvia
range around the world. They are herbaceous plants, shrubs, vines, trees. Besides
the use of several species as garden ornamentals, some are used as spices,
foods, and aromatic oils. This species is native to the southern United States, Mexico, and the
Caribbean. It is attractive as a naturalized
wildflower or as a garden plant. Typically, bright red flowers are held on
upright spikes above the foliage throughout the growing season. The flowers are
attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Salvia_coccinea.jpg
See this plant at the east side of building 10.
Herbaceous perennial in warm climates growing to two feet tall or more. It flowers quickly from seed and may be grown as an annual in colder climates.
sun to shade
well-drained soil, drought tolerant, also tolerates irrigation
adaptable to soil types, no other special requirements
In Florida, this is an adaptable native plant that seems to grow best where competition from other plants is low. In Jacksonville, it seems to be at or near its northern limit as a perennial. Winter low temperatures around the mid-20’s F can kill plants but seedlings usually replace them in the following spring.
