Flora Detail

Common Name Brown Sage
Family Lamiaceae
Date Observed 18-08-2021
Category Bushes
Catalogue No. 4407RG
Flowering Time Spring
Colour Orange
Locations Observed
Estuary
Koppie
Nature Reserve Few
Small Holding
Village
Greater Rooiels

Salvia aurea

Information

Brown Sage

Salvia africana-lutea (beach salvia, dune salvia, golden salvia, bruin- of sandsalie, geelblomsalie) is a shrubby evergreen perennial native to coastal sand dunes and hills on the coast of the Western CapeEastern Cape and Northern Cape in South Africa. It has numerous woody stems growing to more than 1 m in height and width, with sparse grey-green leaves. The flowers start out as a bright yellow, turning into a rusty color, with the dark rusty-colored calyx persisting long after fruiting begins.

The nectar acts as an essential food supply for sunbirds, particularly when proteas are not flowering. Sage has shifted its pollinator from bees to nectar-feeding birds, and these flowers are now designed to not touch the bee on its back, but to touch the visiting bird on its head. S. africana-lutea was used by early European settlers to treat colds, tuberculosis, and chronic bronchitis. Traditional indigenous healers use it for respiratory ailments, influenza, gynaecological complaints, fever, headaches and digestive disorders.