Salvia lanata
Roxb.
Lauren McLaurin
barbaradie
Aaron Echols
What to Eat
Edible parts: Stem
Stems are peeled and eaten.
Where to Find It
E. Asia - Himalayas from Nepal to N.W. Pakistan.
Coming Soon
How to Identify
Salvia lanata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
How to Grow
Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position. Prefers a rich soil. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
Propagation: Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. In areas where the plant is towards the limits of its hardiness, it is best to grow the plants on in a greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood succeed at almost any time in the growing season.
Medicinal Uses
Astringent Dysentery Emetic Poultice. The roots are used in the treatment of colds and coughs. The seed is emetic. It is used in the treatment of dysentery, haemorrhoids, colic and, externally, boils. A poultice of the leaves is used as a dressing for wounds and is also applied to itchy skin.