Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Mediterranean sage, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Stem

  • 1-3 ft. tall, highly branched and densely covered with hairs
Photo of mediterranean sage in front of a wooden fence
 

Leaves

  • Gray-green; densely covered with white hairs, particularly on new leaves and underside of older leaves; wider at base (triangle-shaped); 2-12 in. long; edges (margins) with rounded, irregular teeth; leaves have an aroma when crushed
  • Lower leaves have leaf stems (petioles); upper leaves are smaller and lack leaf stems
Photo of mediterranean sage rosette
 

Flower

  • Yellow to white, 0.5 in. wide, arranged in clusters of 5-10, ; 2 lips, the upper lip is arch- or hook-shaped, the lower lip is smaller and has 3 lobes
  • 4 nutlets produced per flower, 0.16 in. long
Photo of mediterranean sage with white flowers
 

Root

  • Stout, deep taproot
Photo of mediterranean sage plants

Other

  • Often infests rangeland, roadsides and waste areas; not known to occur in Nevada
  • Biennial; reproduces by seed; dried plants detach and tumble, which disperses seeds.
  • Also known as African sage 
Photo of a field of mediterranean sage with white flowers
 

Control

  • Hand removal of individual plants, including the crown, can limit spread of small infestations 
  • An insect biological control agent is available
  • Apply 2,4-D, chlorsulfuron, clopyralid, dicamba, glyphosate, or metsulfuron to actively growing plants prior to seed production; aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid, or picloram pre- or post emergence

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch
Heidi Kratsch
 

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