Are All Salvia Plants Sage?

Types

• Hundreds of species of sage exist, ranging from gray sage (Salvia greggii), also called autumn or cherry sage, to white sage (Salvia apiana Jeps.), also called California sage. The most commonly recognized and utilized sage is the one used in kitchens for seasoning---Salvia officinalis L., also called garden, common or kitchen sage.

Warning

• While it is safe to consume many species of Salvia, the herbs regularly used in cooking and teas, others may be unsafe to ingest in large quantities. Salvia divinorum is listed as a "drug or chemical of concern" by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and many states are moving to control its consumption and distribution.

Misconceptions

• One plant with "sage" in its name isn't sage at all: Russian sage plant is not a Salvia; its official name is Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth., but the shrub eventually came to be known as a sage because its appearance and fragrance and the oiliness of its leaves create a resemblance to the actual herb.