Other names: cenizo
Abundance: common
What: leaves
How: tea
Medicinal parts: leaves
When: spring, summer, fall, winter
Where: arid plains, landscaping
Nutritional Value: medicinal
Dangers: none
On this page: Identification · Range & Ecosystem · Uses · Dangers · Harvest Time · Possible Mimics
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| Purple sage (also known as cenizo) plant. |
Purple sage, also known as cenizos, gives rise to the purple prairies of Texas, though it's found mostly in the more arid regions. The plant retains its leaves all year long but the flowers appear in the summer and fall, blooming after rains. They prefer full sun in well-drained, alkaline soils.
Identification
Identification Features
- Leaf Arrangement: The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems.
- Leaf Shape: The leaves are simple and lanceolate, with a length of approximately 1 to 2 inches.
- Leaf Venation: The venation is pinnate but not highly noticeable due to the small size and simple structure of the leaves.
- Leaf Margin: The leaf margins are entire, with a smooth and unbroken edge.
- Leaf Color: The leaves are typically gray-green, and this color is uniform on both the upper and lower surfaces.
- Flower Structure: The flowers are tubular and are clustered at the tips of the branches. Each flower has a five-lobed corolla.
- Flower Color: The flowers can range in color from shades of purple to lavender or pink with a white throat spotted with brown dots.
- Fruit: The plant produces small, inconspicuous capsules as fruit.
- Seed: The seeds are contained within the capsules.
- Stem: The stems are woody and may have a somewhat tangled or bushy appearance.
- Hairs: The plant has fine hairs on the stems, leaves, and flowers contributing to a fuzzy or velvety texture.
- Height: Leucophyllum frutescens typically reaches a height of 3 to 8 feet, forming a dense and rounded shrub.
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| Close-up of single stalk. |
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| Close-up of plant tip. |
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| Close-up of single leaf. |
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| Close-up of flower. |
Range & Ecosystem
Range
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| Texas distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. The marked counties are guidelines only. Plants may appear in other counties, especially if used in landscaping. |
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| North American distribution, attributed to U. S. Department of Agriculture. |
Ecosystem
arid plains, landscaping
Purple sage can be found for sale at most plant nurseries. If you are not in their native range, plant the cenizo in full sun in a raised bed to ensure adequate drainage. If kept too wet, purple sage may die.
Uses
Food
What: leaves
How: tea
Nutritional Value: medicinal
The leaves are dried and then used to make tea. This tea is an enjoyable drink and often just drunk for the taste.
The dried leaves can also be used like a traditional sage cooking spice.
Medicine
Leaves - antimicrobial; congestion relief; cough suppressant; liver protection (tisane)
However, traditionally this tea was also used to fight the symptoms of colds, including the congestion, fever, and coughing. Recent research has shown these leaves help protect the liver.
Harvesting Tips
Dangers
Harvest Time
When: spring, summer, fall, winter
Possible Mimics
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