Salvia chiapensis aka Chiapas Sage

Salvia chiapensis, or Chiapas sage, is a perennial plant. It belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its home range is Chiapas, in southern Mexico. The Royal Horticultural Society does not list it as native to Britain. Useful Tropical Plants gives no facts about its wild habitat. That source gives no usable figure for its height. The sources give no width for a full-grown plant, either.

The plant grows upright. Thin flower spikes rise above its leaves. Chicago Botanic Garden calls the blooms deep magenta. It also lists pink and purple as flower colours. It lists bloom months from July through December. This records blooms late in the year for gardeners. The entry does not say how climate affects that span. It gives no leaf shape or bark details for this species. The RHS describes leaves and flowers for the genus alone. Those traits do not show this species' exact form.

Chicago Botanic Garden lists full sun for garden use. The supplied care facts say it needs moderate water. Its hardiness range covers USDA zones 8 through 11. The sources give no UK hardiness rating for this species. They give no soil texture or pH range, either. Useful Tropical Plants gives no more advice on growing it. That source lists seed as a way to grow new plants. It gives no steps for sowing them. Nor does it say how long seeds take to sprout.

Chicago Botanic Garden suggests Chiapas sage for beds and borders. Its tall flower spikes add colour above the leaves. The garden says its flowers draw insects and hummingbirds. Its wildlife list names butterflies and other birds, too. Its deer resistance adds value to planted beds. This does not mean deer will never eat the plant. The supplied pages name no pests or diseases. They give no basis to judge its weed risk.

Useful Tropical Plants records a food use for the seeds. People use them in drinks in Mexico and Central America. Chicago Botanic Garden says the seeds are rich in protein. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known hazards for this species. That does not prove it is safe for pets or people. The same source records no known uses as medicine. It lists no other known uses, either.