Where to Pick Wild White Sage

Identification

• A member of the mint family Lamiaceae and the genus Salvia L., white sage is a perennial woody shrub. The USDA indicates that, as of October, 2010, the herb is discovered growing wild exclusively in eight counties located in the southern areas of California, with no distribution in the central or northern portion of the state.

Features

• White sage stands out amidst the California landscape as a soft-stemmed, fragrant low-growing shrub with a collection of white-lavender flowers. It grows in two-feet high mounds with silvery foliage and five-feet tall flowering stalks.

Geography

• The backcountry of Riverside and San Diego Counties, as well as San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange Counties, are ideal locations to pick wild white sage. The plant can also be found in Baja California.