Salvia ceratophylla

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Salvia ceratophylla var. viridifolia
• Salvia semilanata
• Sclarea ceratophylla

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Salvia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning several key regions across Western and Central Asia. Within Central Asia, it can be found growing in the territory of Turkmenistan. Its range extends into the Caucasus region, specifically within the Transcaucasus area. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed across Western Asia, including parts of Afghanistan and Iraq. Finally, it is also documented as occurring throughout the country of Iran.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Salvia ceratophylla is characterized by its presence in diverse landscapes, ranging from cultivated crop fields to rugged mountain terrains, steppes, and stony places. This species thrives within a specific altitudinal belt, occupying an elevational range that begins at 800 m AMSL and reaches a maximum of 1200 m AMSL. Its ability to colonize both disturbed agricultural environments and more natural, rocky, or open steppe habitats highlights its adaptability to varying substrate types and environmental conditions within these mid-elevation zones.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, mountains, steppe, stony places

Life history

The life history of Salvia ceratophylla is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy and survival mechanism, the species is classified as a hemicryptophyte, meaning its perennial buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the substrate. This life form enables the plant to endure varying environmental conditions by sheltering its regenerative tissues during unfavorable periods, ensuring its continued presence within its natural habitat.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Salvia ceratophylla is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, functioning as both a herb and a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior and is categorized as an independent species, lacking any parasitic tendencies. As a terrestrial organism, it does not function as an epiphyte or occupy aquatic or semiaquatic habitats. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Salvia ceratophylla is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and precise seed production metrics. The plant enters its flowering phase in April and continues through June, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. During this reproductive period, the plant produces seeds with highly consistent dimensions; the mean seed mass is recorded at 0.010545 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.0096 g to a maximum of 0.01149 g.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Seed mass max:

0.01149 g

Seed mass mean:

0.010545 g

Seed mass min:

0.0096 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Salvia ceratophylla has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include FLAVONE, Steroid.

FLAVONE

1. Natural product letters

Steroid

1. Natural product letters