204 DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY. 



SALVIA, L. (Sage.) Calyx striate, 2-lipped, upper lip 3-toothed or 

 entii'e, lower bifid, throat naked; corolla 2-lipped, gaping, the upper 

 lip straight or curved, sometimes notched, the lower spreading and 

 3-lobed, middle larger ; perfect stamens 2, the filaments have at their 

 summits a cross thread, the transverse connective, one end of which 

 bears a perfect half-anther. The other end has on it a defective half- 

 anther. This transverse thi-ead is an essential character of this large 

 genus. 



1. S. ofl&cinalis, L. (Common or Garden Sage.) Stem woody, 1 to 2 feet 

 high. Leaves elliptical-lanceolate, wrinkled, margins crenulated ; calyx mu- 

 cronate; whorls 6-10-tlowered, in two opposite sets, of purplish-blue flowers. 

 Whole plant strongly aromatic. 



Var. variegata has leaves spotted with white. This genus has about 400 

 species, though S. officinalis is the only one of culinary importance. 



2. The S. pomifera, L. (Apple-bearing Sage), is found upon some of the 

 islands of the Grecian Archipelago. Upon its branches appear fleshy tumors 

 from half to three quarters of an inch in diameter, supposed to be caused by 

 the bite of an insect. 



Geography. — The home of the sage is the countries of the Mediterranean. 

 It was known to the most ancient writers on medicine and botany on account 

 of its medical virtues and pleasant odor. From ancient time it has been cul- 

 tivated throughout middle and southern Europe and the British Isles, and like 

 similar plants was brought to northeast America by European colonists. It 

 is also growing in British India, where it has been carried by the English. 



The genus is very large, and some of the species are found in every quarter 

 of the globe. The home of the S. officinalis and S. pomifera is the Levant 

 and other Mediterranean countries. The S. officinalis grows well in all coun- 

 tries between 35° and 60° of the north temperate zone. It has been intro- 

 duced into North America, but not naturalized ; it is not growing except 

 under cultivation. 



Et ji molot] II . — Salvia, the generic name, is from the Latin sahms, " well," or 

 "in good health," in allusion to its curative qualities. Officinalis, the specific 

 name, means "of the shops." Pomifera, " apple-bearing," is due to the fleshy 

 tumors on its branches. The common name, sage, is said to be due to prop- 

 erties of the plant, which tend to strengthen the mind, and thereby make 

 men wise. 



Use. — The sage is used to flavor sausage, for stuffings for roast poultry and 

 other meats, and the pulverized dried leaves are used to flaA'or cheese. An 

 infusion of the leaves is an astringent tonic gargle. The cold tea is adminis- 

 tered for nervous headache ; when sweetened with honey, the sage is a remedy 

 for canker in the mouth and throat. Gerard says : " It is good for the head 

 and brain. It quickens the memory and the senses. The juice of the leaves 

 mixed with honey is good for those who spit blood. No man needs to doubt 

 of the wholesomeness of sage." It was also used in his day as a hair-dye. It 

 is used as a cooling drink in fevers, and is an important plant in the list of 

 domestic remedies. 



There are many species used for ornamental purposes. A variety of 

 S. officinalis, var. variegata, is a favorite, and there are many with very 

 showy flowers. 



