Definition

Noun: 1. A California plant with woolly stems and leaves and large white flowers: Pitcher sage refers to a specific perennial plant native to California, characterized by its hairy (woolly) stems and foliage, and its prominent white blossoms. 2. A California erect and sparsely branched perennial: This definition emphasizes the plant's growth habit—it grows upright and does not produce many branches.

Usage

• is used as the common name for this specific plant species (). It is a botanical term.
• Example: "The garden's native plant section features several specimens of pitcher sage."
• Example: "We identified the fragrant, red-flowered plant as pitcher sage."

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in botanical, horticultural, and ecological contexts to describe this particular species of sage.
• Example: "Pitcher sage () is an important nectar source for hummingbirds in coastal sage scrub habitats."

Variants and Related Words

• Hummingbird sage: A common alternative name for the same plant (), highlighting its attractiveness to hummingbirds.
• Salvia spathacea: The scientific (Latin) name for the pitcher sage plant.

Synonyms

• Hummingbird sage (n): The most direct synonym, referring to the same plant species.

Different Meanings

• The word "pitcher" alone typically refers to a container for pouring liquids. In "pitcher sage," it is part of a compound name and does not carry this meaning.
• The word "sage" alone can refer to: 1) a wise person, or 2) a herb used in cooking (common sage, ). In "pitcher sage," it specifically denotes a plant in the genus.

Noun

1. California plant with woolly stems and leaves and large white flowers
2. California erect and sparsely branched perennial