Definition

1. Noun:
   • A perennial herbaceous plant: Salvia farinacea is a species of flowering plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to Texas and parts of Mexico. It is commonly known as mealycup sage or blue sage.
   • An ornamental garden plant: It is cultivated for its showy, intensely blue flowers and its tolerance of heat and drought, making it popular in gardens and landscaping.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The garden's border was brightened by a row of Salvia farinacea.
  • Salvia farinacea, with its striking blue spikes, attracts many pollinators.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical and horticultural contexts: The term is used precisely to refer to this specific species, distinguishing it from other plants with "sage" in their common name.
  • For a reliable display of blue, the landscape designer specified Salvia farinacea.

Variants and Related Words

• Mealycup sage: The most common common name for , referring to the powdery or "mealy" appearance of the flower calyces.
• Blue sage: A common name shared with several other species, used informally for due to its flower color.

Synonyms

• Mealycup sage
• Blue sage (Note: This name is ambiguous and can refer to other species like or ).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Not applicable: As a specific botanical name, is not typically used in idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs.

Noun

1. Texas sage having intensely blue flowers