chía

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Kiosmina hispanica
• Salvia prysmatica
• Salvia schiedeana
• Salvia hispanica var. chionocalyx
• Salvia hispanica var. intonsa
• Salvia chia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, belonging to the genus Salvia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a fragmented geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is found across Germany, Austria, and the Czechia-Slovakia region. The species also extends into Southwestern Europe, specifically inhabiting the Baleares. Together, these locations define the varying territories where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Salvia hispanica is defined by its presence in anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), where it thrives within environments influenced by human activity. This species is specifically adapted to high-altitude ecosystems, occupying an elevational range that begins at 1,800 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2,400 m AMSL. This distribution pattern indicates a preference for montane or sub-alpine conditions within modified landscapes, where it manages the specific climatic demands of these high-elevation zones.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1800 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Salvia hispanica is characterized by its status as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire developmental cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. In terms of its structural life form, it is classified as a therophyte, a strategy where the plant survives unfavorable environmental conditions primarily through seeds, leaving no persistent vegetative organs above ground after its seasonal cycle concludes. This life history strategy allows the species to rapidly exploit available resources and ensure reproductive success before the onset of environmental stressors.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Salvia hispanica is characterized by a growth form classified as a non-woody herb and, more specifically, a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior, such as acting as a liana or vine, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is strictly terrestrial, lacking any epiphytic or aquatic characteristics. In terms of stature, it reaches an average plant height of approximately 1.375 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.375 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Salvia hispanica is characterized by a robust metabolic framework optimized for resilience in diverse environmental conditions, though it does not function as a nitrogen fixer. Unlike leguminous species that engage in symbiotic relationships with rhizobia to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, this plant relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. Its physiological processes are heavily centered around efficient water regulation and nutrient assimilation to support the development of nutrient-dense seeds. The plant exhibits specialized photosynthetic pathways and secondary metabolite production, which contribute to its overall vigor and survival. While it possesses highly efficient mechanisms for managing mineral nutrition and carbon sequestration, the physiological trait of being a nitrogen fixer is marked as no.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Salvia hispanica is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying heavily on living organisms to facilitate genetic exchange. Specifically, the pollination process is driven by insects, with bees serving as a primary pollinator type. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds with a highly specific mass profile. The individual seeds are quite small, with a minimum recorded mass of 0.0004 g and a maximum mass of 0.00113 g. On average, the seed mass is approximately 0.000765 g, a characteristic that influences its dispersal and germination potential within its ecological niche.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00113 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000765 g

Seed mass min:

4e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Salvia hispanica has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, leaf, root.

Seed

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Root

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Salvia hispanica has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include caffeic acid, Antioxidants, rosmarinic acid, Anthocyanins, Bioelements.

caffeic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Biomedical chromatography : BMC
3. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidants

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

rosmarinic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Anthocyanins

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Bioelements

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Carotenoids

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Essential amino acids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Kaempferol 3-O-glucuronide

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

1. Molecular biology reports

Activities

Salvia hispanica has 8 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antihyperglycemic, Antimicrobial.

Antioxidant

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry
2. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Anticancer

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Antidiabetic

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Antihyperglycemic

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Antimicrobial

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Cardioprotective

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Hypoglycemic

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Hypolipidemic

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Medicinal Uses

Salvia hispanica has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, antihyperglycemic, breast cancer, cancer, cardiovascular disease.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations