Salvia nanchuanensis

Close to Salvia plectranthoides; separated from it in the original diagnosis by the hirsute annulus of the calyx tube and the spreading white lanate stems.

Herbs annual or biennial. Stems 1 to few, erect, 20-65 cm, unbranched, densely spreading white lanate. Stem leaves, 1-4-pinnate; petiole 1.5-5.5 cm, petiolules 2-7 mm; leaflets ovate to lanceolate, 2-6.5 × 0.7-2.3 cm, adaxially glabrous, abaxially green-purple, villous on veins, margin crenate or serrate; terminal leaflet linear to ovate. Inflorescences glandular pilose; verticillasters 2-6-flowered, in terminal and axillary racemes 6-15 cm or panicles to 25 cm; bracts lanceolate, 1-3 mm, apex acuminate, ciliate. Pedicel ca. 3 mm. Calyx dark purple, tubular, 5-7 mm, glandular white pilose along veins, white hirsute on throat; upper lip triangular, ca. 1 × 4.5 mm; lower lip longer than adaxial, ca. 2 × 3 mm, teeth narrowly triangular; fruiting calyx 6-8 mm. Corolla purple-red, 0.9-3 cm, long tubular, pilose; tube to 2.5 cm, straight, ca. 2 mm wide at base, slightly dilated at throat; upper lip oblong, ca. 5 × 3 mm; lower lip ca. 5 × 7 mm, middle lobe broadly obcordate, lateral lobes semicircular. Filaments ca. 2 mm; connectives ca. 3.5 mm, upper arms slightly longer than abaxial. Nutlets brown, ellipsoid, ca. 2 mm. Fl. Jul-Aug.

Hubei, Sichuan

* Riverbanks, rocky slopes, open areas; 1700-1800 m.

Salvia nanchuanensis is an annual or biennial herb that is native to Hubei and Sichuan provinces in China, growing on riverbanks, rocky slopes, and open areas at 1,700 to 1,800 m (5,600 to 5,900 ft) elevation. S. nanchuanensis grows on erect stems to 35 cm (14 in) tall. Inflorescences are widely spaced 2–6 flowered verticillasters in terminal racemes, with a reddish corolla that is approximately 1.1 cm (0.43 in).

There are two named varieties. S. nanchuanensis var. nanchuanensis has leaves that are 1–2 pinnately compound, with terminal leaflets that are ovate to lanceolate. S. nanchuanensis var. pteridifolia has leaves that are 3–4 pinnately compound, with terminal leaflets or lobules linear.