sage

Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii)

Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii)

Cleveland Sage.  Jim Sage.  Blue Sage.  Fragrant Sage.  All these are common names for Salvia clevelandii.  Regardless of region, this plant is known for its aromatic qualities--a trait shared by its cousins in other sage species.  Native to southern California and northern Baja, this perennial thrives in a chaparral habitat, usually found growing wild below 3000 ft / 900 m.  Initially identified in 1874 by Asa Gray and Edward Lee Greene, it was named in honor of San Diego's noted plant collector, Daniel Cleveland.