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

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

Root

Stout, deep taproot

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

Learn more about the author(s)

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
Sage Grouse Biology McAdoo, J.K., Back, G.N. 2001, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-01-43

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Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Mediterranean sage