Content deleted Content added
m -- added to caegory: Category:Flora of the Sonoran Desert, and Category:Flora of the Mojave Desert- |
No edit summary |
||
Line 16:
'''''Salvia columbariae''''' is an [[annual plant]] of the [[Lamiaceae]] that grows in [[California]], [[Nevada]], [[Arizona]], [[New Mexico]], [[Sonora]], and [[Baja California]]. It is often called "chia" or "golden chia", because its seeds are used in the same manner as the seeds of ''[[Chia|Salvia hispanica]]'', the chia of commerce. It was an important food for [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]], although ''S. hispanica'' is often substituted in modern practice. Its [[Tongva]] name is ''pashí''.
== Morphology and Taxonomy ==
S. columvariae is an annual plant that grows 1 to 5 dm, it's stem hairs are generally short and sparse in distribution. It has basal leaves that are 2 to 10 centimeters long that are oblong-ovate. The leaves themselves are pinnately disected and the lobes are rounded irregularly. The inflorescence is more or less scapose, meaning it has a long peduncle that comes from the ground level that has bracts. The bracts are round and awn-tipped. There are usually 1-2 cluster of flowers withing the inflorescence. the calyx of the flower is 8 to 10 mm long and the upper lib is unloved but has 2 (sometimes 3) awns. the lower lip is about twice the size of the upper lip. The flower color can be pale blue to blue and purple tipped. The stamens of the plant are slightly exerted. The fruit of S. Columvariae is a nutlet that is tan to grey in color and the size is 1.5 to 2 mm in length.
== Ecology ==
S. columbariae can be founded in dry disturbed sites, [[chaparral]], and [[coastal-sage scrub]].
It will generally grow at elevations less than 1200 meters.
It is found in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah.
it needs good drainage , sun, and dry weather to grow to it's fullest potential.
== Sources ==
*Hickman, James C. ''The Jepson Manual Higher Plants of California''. University of California Press, Berkeley Los Angeles London. (1993).
*USDA Natuaral resources Conservation Service. [web application]. 2006. Available: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SACO6/. (Accessed: May, 25 2006)
{{commons|Salvia columbariae}}
| |||