Chinese Sage

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese Sage

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Salvia chinensis f. pinnata
• Salvia chinensis var. crenata
• Salvia chinensis var. intermedia
• Salvia tashiroi
• Salvia japonica var. chinensis
• Salvia chinensis f. lobatocrenata
• Salvia japonica var. integrifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Lamiales and belongs to the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Salvia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found throughout specific regions of Eastern Asia. In mainland China, its presence is most notable within the South-Central territories. Additionally, it can be located across the Southeast regions of China. The species also extends its reach to the island of Taiwan. Together, these locations define the core geographical range of Salvia chinensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Salvia chinensis is characterized by its classification as a therophyte, a life form that completes its entire developmental cycle within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant survives unfavorable environmental periods, such as extreme cold or drought, by persisting in the form of resistant seeds, which remain dormant in the soil until conditions become favorable for germination. This annual strategy allows the species to rapidly exploit seasonal resources, progressing through germination, vegetative growth, flowering, and seed production before the onset of seasonal stress. In the context of its growth habit and vertical structure, it is categorized as a therophyte, reflecting its reliance on ephemeral growth patterns rather than perennial structures like woody stems or underground rhizomes.

Life form :

therophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Salvia chinensis is characterized by its non-woody, herbaceous structure, which lacks significant lignification. As a terrestrial plant, it grows directly in the soil rather than functioning as an epiphyte. While it possesses a growth habit that can lean or spread, it is classified as a self-supporting plant rather than an obligatory or facultative climber. Furthermore, it is an independent organism that does not exhibit any parasitic behavior, maintaining its own nutritional processes without reliance on a host.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Salvia chinensis has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ARA, Corosolic acid, GAL, GALA, OLEANOLIC ACID.

ARA

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Corosolic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

GAL

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

GALA

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Pomolic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Rha

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

SC3

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Ursolic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Activities

Salvia chinensis has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiproliferative.

Antiproliferative

1. Journal of natural products

Medicinal Uses

Salvia chinensis has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, multidrug resistance, pancreatic cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations