Salvia reflexa
| Salvia reflexa | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Salvia reflexa (common name: mintweed)
Propagation: Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse. The seedlings dislike root disturbance, so prick them out carefully into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ during April/May, though this sowing might not mature its seed in a cool summer[1].
Cultivation: Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position[1]. Prefers a rich soil[2]. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet[1].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[3].
Range: Southern N. America - Mexico.
Habitat: Dry open soils from Wisconsin to Montana and south to Texas[4].
Edibility: The seeds are used in the preparation of a cooling drink[5][6].
The following notes apply to S. hispanica, they are probably also appropriate for this species[K].
When soaked in water the seeds form a gelatinous mass which is flavoured with fruit juices and consumed as a cooling drink[6][1]. The gelled seeds can also be prepared as a gruel or pudding[6].
The sprouted seeds are eaten in salads, sandwiches, soups, stews etc[6]. Due to their mucilaginous property they are often sprouted on clay or other porous materials[6].
The seed can be ground into a meal and made into bread, biscuits, cakes etc[6].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Reported to be toxic to cattle, possibly through nitrate poisoning[7].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Diggs, George and Barney Lipscomb. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute, 1999.