Salvia verbenaca

Morphological description

Perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family Lamiaceae, with a height ranging from 20 to 80 cm. The stem is erect, often simple or branched in the upper part, quadrangular in shape, covered with spreading, glandular, and woolly hairs, giving a rough and often hairy surface. The plant has a woody taproot system that supports the erect stem.

The leaves are mainly arranged in a basal rosette and in opposite cauline position. The basal leaves are long-petiolate, with a petiole of 2-5 cm, elliptical or ovate-oblong in shape (dimensions 3-10 cm in length by 2-6 cm in width), with a deeply crenulate or pinnatifid margin, usually with 3-4 obtuse lobes per side, which can range from shallow incisions to very marked pinnatisect lobes. The cauline leaves are progressively smaller, sessile or with a very short petiole, oval, and with more or less lobed margins. The leaf surface is dull green, rough, and often pubescent with glandular and woolly hairs, giving a rough and hairy appearance.

The inflorescence is scapose and formed by simple or branched whorls, arranged in elongated and lax spikes, with 4-10 flowers per whorl. The bracts are green, cordate at the base and pointed, slightly shorter than the calyx. The calyx is campanulate, bilabiate, 6-10 mm long, covered with whitish woolly hairs, especially in the sinuses between the teeth which are connivent and short.

The flowers are bilabiate, with a corolla 6-15 mm long, varying in color from light violet, lilac, pale pink to very rare bluish shades. The upper lip is curved and hairy on the outside, almost straight or slightly falcate, while the lower lip is trilobed with the central lobe directed downward. Two stamens are present. The corolla may protrude variably from the calyx: in hermaphroditic flowers it is even twice as long as the calyx, while in female or self-pollinating flowers it is shorter and sometimes barely protruding. The presence of different flower types is related to the plant's reproductive strategy, which includes both cross-pollination and self-pollination.

The fruit is a schizocarp composed of four subglobose nutlets, dark brown in color, about 1.7-2.4 mm long, which separate at maturity.

Habitat and distribution

The plant is widespread in Italian regions and the Mediterranean area, extending also towards the European Atlantic coasts. It prefers mountainous and hilly habitats but is also found in plains, up to about 1400 meters altitude. It adapts to a wide range of environments typical of Mediterranean territories, such as dry meadows, uncultivated areas, path margins, vineyards, and olive groves. It favors well-drained soils, often calcareous or stony, with sunny or partially shaded exposure.

In southern Europe it is common especially in areas with a Mediterranean climate, preferring dry or semi-arid soils, often disturbed or anthropized. The species is considered thermophilic and also adapts well to grassy places and rocky slopes.

Flowering period

Flowering mainly extends from May to September, with local variations that may anticipate or prolong the period up to April or until December in some milder areas. The flowering is therefore quite long and coincides with the warm and temperate months, favoring the activity of pollinating insects.

Ecology and pollination

The species presents an interesting reproductive strategy, with hermaphroditic and female flowers that can coexist on the same plant. Hermaphroditic flowers, with larger corollas, are predisposed to cross-pollination, while flowers with smaller corollas tend to self-pollinate, especially towards the end of the season.

Pollination is mainly mediated by pollinating insects such as bees and bumblebees, attracted by the violet-lilac color of the flowers and their aromatic scent. The plant is also a good source of nectar and pollen, which is why it is considered melliferous.

Seed dispersal occurs through schizocarps that open at maturity releasing the nutlets; their transport is mainly by falling near the mother plant, with possible secondary movements due to external agents such as wind or animals.

Curiosities and traditional uses

This species of Salvia has been known since antiquity for its medicinal properties, although less potent compared to Salvia officinalis. The plant is considered aromatic-medicinal and was traditionally used to treat digestive system disorders (such as bloating, flatulence, slow digestion), respiratory system ailments (asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis) thanks to its antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.

Moreover, due to the presence of phytoestrogens, it was used as a tonic for menstrual flow, both in cases of hypermenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, and as a depurative and diuretic. The essential oil extracted from the plant is known for its antiperspirant action.

Historically Wild Clary was considered sacred by the Greeks and Romans, who attributed healing and protective virtues against diseases and poisons. In the Middle Ages its fame increased, associated with regenerative properties for the mind and body, as well as aphrodisiac effects, so much so that Cleopatra is said to have used it.

The plant is also mentioned in numerous legends and popular sayings, especially in Veneto and Salernitan tradition, as a symbol of longevity and health. For example, it was used as a natural toothpaste and mouthwash, a practice also documented in literary texts such as the Decameron.

It should be emphasized that phytotherapeutic and alimentary uses must always be considered with caution and do not replace medical advice.

Etymology

The generic name Salvia derives from the Latin “salus” or “salveo,” meaning “to be well,” “to be in health,” or “to save,” referring to the therapeutic virtues attributed since antiquity to these plants. The specific epithet verbenaca refers to the similarity of the leaves to those of Verbena, a plant known and appreciated for its properties.

In Italian it is known as “Wild Clary” or “Salvia falsa verbena,” precisely because of the leaf similarity with verbena, but also to distinguish it from the better-known Salvia officinalis.

Sources

• Prof. S. Pignatti, "Flora d'Italia"
• Acta Plantarum - Flora delle regioni italiane (scheda di Antonino Messina)
• Tela Botanica / H. Coste, "Flore descriptive et illustrée de la France"
• World Flora Online (WFO)