Mexican Bush Sage

Overview

Salvia leucantha, commonly called Mexican bush sage, is an evergreen shrubby perennial that is native to Central America and Mexico. It is often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its flowering display, and is sometimes grown as a hedge.

Vernacular Names

No information found.

Agroecology

Grows well in an average to rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light afternoon shade, but generally is best when growing in full sun. Also tolerates some drought, but does best with regular moisture.

Morphology

• Stems - square, striking white and hairy, branched, erect and often curved at the ends.
• Leaves - lanceolate-linear, 10–20 cm long, pointed leaf tip, serrated leaf margin, rugose-like leaf surface, pinnate leaf bone, grayish green, velvety textured, pubescent (short and soft hair) above, tomentose (furry like wool) below.
• Flowers - have a purple or white crown covered by thin velvety hairs, funnel-shaped petals, purple, the flower bracts are ovate, pointed, shorter than the petals, arranged in a circle at each node.
• Fruits - small, reddish brown.

Cultivation

Propagated by seeds and cuttings.

Chemical Constituents

Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (6.9-guaiadiene, (E)-caryophyllene, bornyl acetate, germacrene D, (E)-β-farnesene, and bicyclogermacrene), flavonoids (quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(16)-β  -D-glucopyranoside).

Traditional Medicinal Uses

• Relieves cough, chest pain, lung and stomach pain.
• Heals wounds.  
• Has activity as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antispasmodic, neuroprotective (protects or reduces nerve damage), anticancer and anti-Alzheimer's.