Salvia thermarum

Salvia thermarum, the Goudini sage, is a less known member of its genus. The erect shrub grows to 1 m and produces stolons at ground level that help it spread into a clump. The stems are dark green, starting off hairy with glandular hairs when young, becoming smooth upon maturing.

The leaves are oblanceolate to narrowly so, entire near the base and serrated near the purplish tips.

The pale red flowers with red bracts grow in dense racemes. They produce much nectar and attract birds. Flowering happens in early summer.

S. thermarum has been found only on the Badsberg near Slanghoek, Rawsonville on quartzite sandstone slopes in open fynbos. The plant will grow from cuttings and is recommended for sunny gardens. It was discovered only in 1998 by Ernst van Jaarsveld (www.plantzafrica.com).