salvia

noun

sal·​via ˈsal-vē-ə 

: any of a large and widely distributed genus (Salvia) of herbs and shrubs of the mint family having a 2-lipped open calyx and two anthers

especially : one (S. splendens) with scarlet flowers

Examples of salvia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The temperature was in the 90s in West Hills, but that didn’t deter an astonishing number of monarch butterflies, hummingbirds and bees from feeding on the California-friendly plants — sages, salvias and flowering milkweed — in Eric Augusztiny’s front yard. —Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2024

There are also a few types of annuals that fall into this group including snapdragon, angelonia, lantana, annual salvias, and verbena. —Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 19 Aug. 2023

Amistad salvia This purple annual salvia grows 3 to 4 feet high, which is tall enough to be planted in the ground and used extensively by hummingbirds. —Joanne Kempinger Demski, Journal Sentinel, 14 July 2023

Skyscraper salvia This annual blooms prolifically on tall stems all season long. —Joanne Kempinger Demski, Journal Sentinel, 14 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, sage — more at sage

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

salvia

noun

sal·​via ˈsal-vē-ə 

1

capitalized : a genus of widely distributed herbs or shrubs of the mint family (Labiatae) including the sage (S. officinalis)

2

: any herb or shrub of the genus Salvia