Salvia sikkimensis E. Peter

Plants perennial. Stems 1 or 2, erect to ascending, villous, unbranched. Petiole of lower stem leaves ca. 2 × as long as blades; leaf blade ovate, to 12 × 9.5 cm, ± membranous, adaxially fine strigose, abaxially pubescent mainly on veins, glandular, base cordate to subhastate, margin mucronulate-crenate, apex obtuse to subacute. Inflorescences densely to sparsely villous, glandular pilose; verticillasters 2(-6)-flowered, in terminal raceme-panicles 6-15 cm; bracts ovate to rhombic-ovate, apex abruptly acuminate, glandular pilose. Pedicel 3-10 mm. Calyx funnelform-campanulate to campanulate, ca. 1 cm in flower, slightly dilated to 1.5 cm in fruit, villous, glandular pilose, intermixed with yellow-brown glands; upper lip triangular-ovate, ca. 3 × 10 mm, apex spiny-acute; teeth of lower lip broadly triangular, apex short spiny. Corolla yellow-white or reddish and purple spotted, ca. 2.8 cm, sparsely pilose especially on upper lip; tube obliquely pilose annulate on basal 3-5 mm inside, ca. 1.8 cm, base tubular, constricted at hairy annulus but gradually dilated, to 1 cm wide at throat; upper lip projected, subobovate, ca. 7 × 6 mm. Filaments ca. 5 mm; connectives ca. 6 mm, arms equal. Style exserted. Nutlets unknown. Fl. Aug.

Himalaya (Nepal to Bhutan), Tibet.

Xizang [Bhutan, India]

3100-3300 m

Forests, forest margins, hillsides, streamsides; ca. 3300 m.

Salvia sikkimensis is a perennial plant that is native to Xizang province in China, along with locations in Bhutan and India (Sikkim). It is typically found growing in and around forests, on hillsides, and streamsides at 3,300 m (10,800 ft) elevation.

The plant grows on one or two erect ascending stems, with ovate leaves that are approximately 12 cm (4.7 in) long and 9.5 cm (3.7 in) wide. Inflorescences are terminal raceme-panicles that are 6 to 15 cm (2.4 to 5.9 in) long, with a yellow-white or reddish and purple spotted corolla that is approximately 2.8 cm (1.1 in).

There are two named varieties. Salvia sikkimensis var. sikkimensis is not very robust and has a campanulate calyx. Salvia campanulata var. chaenocalyx is a robust plant with a funnelform-campanulate calyx.