Israel wildflowers: Wild Clary

Salvia verbenaca, Salvia clandestina, Wild clary, Vervain sage, Wild sage,

Hebrew: מרווה מצויה, Arabic: قصعين رعي الحمام

Scientific name:   Salvia verbenaca L.
Synonym name:   Salvia clandestina L.
Common name:   Wild clary, Vervain sage, Wild sage
Hebrew name:   מרווה מצויה
Arabic name:   قصعين رعي الحمام
Family:   Labiatae / Lamiaceae, שפתניים


Life form:   Hemicryptophyte
Stems:   Stems nearly upright, 60 cm high
Leaves:   Opposite, rosette, entire, dentate or serrate
Flowers:   Flowers in whorls, almost naked, containg about six blue, lilach flowers
Fruits / Pods:   Nutlets
Flowering Period:   January, February, March, April, May, November, December
Habitat:   Batha, Phrygana
Distribution:   Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands, Semi-steppe shrublands, Shrub-steppes
Chorotype:   Mediterranean
Summer shedding:   Ephemeral


Derivation of the botanical name:

Salvia, Latin salvere, to save, referring to the long-believed healing properties of salvia. Pliny the Elder was the first known to use the Latin name salvia.

verbenaca, resembling Verbena.
clandestina, secret, hidden.
The Israeli botanists Dr. Ephraim and Hanah Hareuveni pointed out that the architecture of the vertical inflorescence of this species of Salvia resembles the shape of the Menorah, in particular—the Salvia Palaestina. Therefore, they suggested that it had inspired the design of the Menorah. Moreover, based on etymology perspectives they suggested that the Hebrew word “Marva, מרווה” (Salvia) was originated from the Hebrew word “Moriah” (the Temple Mount name), reflecting the connection between this plant and the Menorah, which was situated inside the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

  • The standard author abbreviation L. is used to indicate Carl Linnaeus (1707 – 1778), a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, the father of modern taxonomy.

Salvia verbenaca could be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants.