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| Salvia columbariae |
| Family: Lamiaceae (Mint) |
| Flowers — color: blue, size: 1/8", type: lipped |
Chia has a tiny labiate [lipped] blue flower. The shorter upper lip rises like a backstop, while the larger lower lip has an oblong pale section with three blue dots resembling a face with a mouth and two eyes. Several stamen having dark anthers project from the tubular throat.
A square flower stalk rises with one or more spheres studded with spikes. I found these specimens blooming in August, somewhat late for most chaparral plants, but a boon for local pollinators.
Habit:
Chia is a small annual sage characterized by its spherical flower cluster. While most sages have a spicy aroma similar to the kitchen herb, chia lacks the family aroma. Its leaves form a basal rosette, up to eight inches diameter. Each leaf is pinnate and smoothly lobed, and become shorter as they branch higher up the stem.
Chia seeds were an important food source for Native Americans. Chia pets, using germinating seeds, were introduced over forty years ago. Sunny, open areas.
Observations:
Exposed trailsides in the chaparral north of Cabrillo HS.