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
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

Extension Associated Contacts

Heidi Kratsch
Heidi Kratsch
 

Also of Interest:

 
Plant Community Factors Correlated with Wyoming Big Sagebrush Site Responses to Fire. Swanson, J.C., Murphy, P.J., Swanson, S.R., Schultz, B.W., and McAdoo, J.K. 2018, Rangeland Ecology and Management, 71((1):), 67-76.
Longer Term Rest from Grazing: A Response to Jones and Carter.
Jones & Carter, in a response to Davies et al. (2014), misrepresent the original article and other articles, develop arguments not supported by scientific literature, and ignore literature counter to their opinions.
 Davies, K.W., Gearhart, A., Vavra, M., Schultz, B.W., and Rimbey, N. 2016, Journal of Rangeland Applications. 3:9-15.
The Case for Active Wyoming Big Sagebrush Management. Swanson, J., Swanson, S. R., Schultz, B. W., Mcadoo, J. K., McCuin, G. 2012, Progressive Rancher, 2012(Oct/Nov), 23
Wildlife Diversity in Sagebrush Habitats McAdoo, J. K., B. W. Schultz, and S. R. Swanson. 2004, Progressive Rancher. 2004, February, pg 16
male greater sage grouse
Sage Grouse Biology McAdoo, J.K., Back, G.N. 2001, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-01-43
 

Associated Programs

Master Gardeners at tabling event

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

Garden plant and pest sprayers image by Olga Seifutdinova from Getty Images

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a strategy that reduces pests to tolerable levels with lower costs for the pest manager or home gardener and minimal effect on the environment. The IPM program at University of Nevada, Reno Extension focuses on identification and public education with resources for the community including classes, Spanish language resources and a pest directory.

Weed Warriors Invasive Weed Training cb

Weed Warriors Invasive Weed Training

The Nevada Noxious Weed Education Program, Weed Warriors program tackles the growing problem of spreading noxious and nuisance weeds on public and private land.