scarlet sage
Definition
- Noun:
- A flowering plant: "scarlet sage" refers to a perennial plant (Salvia splendens) native to Brazil, widely cultivated for its bright red flowers. It is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae).
Usage Examples
- (The bright red flowers of the Salvia splendens plant.)
- (Used as an ornamental plant.)
Advanced Usage
- "scarlet sage in horticulture": commonly grown as an annual in temperate climates, though it is a tender perennial.
- In cooler regions, scarlet sage is treated as an annual and replanted each spring. (It does not survive frost.)
Variants and Related Words
Sage (n): a general term for plants in the genus Salvia, often with aromatic leaves.
- Common sage is used in cooking, while scarlet sage is grown for its flowers. (Distinguishing between types of Salvia.)
Scarlet (adj): a bright red colour.
- The scarlet flowers of the plant give it its common name. (Describing the colour.)
Synonyms
- Red salvia: another common name for .
- Tropical sage: a less frequent synonym, referring to its origin.
Related Idioms
- "Not just a pretty face": while scarlet sage is grown for its flowers, it also has some medicinal uses.
- Though scarlet sage is mainly ornamental, it is not just a pretty face—it has traditional uses in herbal remedies. (It has practical value beyond appearance.)