Tropical Sage, Blood Sage

Salvia coccinea Buchoz ex Etl.

SAL-vee-ah  cox-IN-ee-ah

Lamiaceae

Explanation of name: Salvia from Latin salvare, to save or to heal (HUX). Coccinea means bright red.

Natural range: Throughout much of Florida (WU1). Hammocks and disturbed areas (WU1)

Recognition: Tall mint with bright red flowers. Distinguished from other similar species by having: leaves mostly along the stem (vs. leaves mostly basal), erect inflorescences with long, spreading hairs toward the base, the corollas without a hairy ring inside (BA1, WU1, HUX)

Landscape uses: A bright flowering native perennial attractive in butterfly gardens (although the flowers may be more likely to draw hummingbirds).