Salvia splendens

Scarlet sage

Salvia splendens, commonly known as scarlet sage, is a vibrant ornamental perennial prized for its striking red blooms. Beyond its aesthetic appeal in gardens, this plant holds traditional significance in herbalism. While primarily grown for decoration, its unique botanical properties continue to inspire interest in natural medicinal applications.

  • Scientific name: Salvia splendens
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Native range: Europe

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 organized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Salvia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Lamiales WCVP
Family Lamiaceae WCVP
Genus Salvia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Salvia splendens, is widely recognized by various names across different Chinese linguistic regions. In Simplified Chinese, including the variants used in mainland China (zh-cn), Singapore (zh-sg), and general usage (zh-hans), it is commonly called 一串红. This same name is also used in Hong Kong (zh-hk) using Traditional Chinese characters, written as 一串紅. In regions that utilize Traditional Chinese characters, such as in Taiwan (zh-hant), it is also referred to as 一串紅.
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 一串红 Wikidata
zh-hant 一串紅 Wikidata
zh-hk 一串紅 Wikidata
zh-cn 一串红 Wikidata
zh-sg 一串红 Wikidata
zh-tw 一串紅 Wikidata
pl Szałwia błyszcząca Wikidata
ko 샐비어 Wikidata
ru Шалфей сверкающий Wikidata
tr Ateş çiçeği Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence can be documented within the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Moving toward the southern reaches, it is found throughout Southeastern Europe in both Bulgaria and Romania. The species also extends into Eastern Europe, specifically occupying areas of South European Russia. Finally, its range continues through the Eastern European landscape of Ukraine.

Region Area Source
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Southeastern Europe Bulgaria WCVP
Southeastern Europe Romania WCVP
Eastern Europe South European Russia WCVP
Eastern Europe Ukraine WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Gulf of Guinea Is. WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Comoros WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known commonly as scarlet sage, is primarily admired for its vibrant and showy flowers, which grow in dense, upright spikes. These blossoms are typically a brilliant red, though they can also be found in shades of pink, blue, or white, and they serve as a major attraction for pollinators like hummingbirds. While the plant is frequently grown for its ornamental beauty, the flowers are the most distinctive and characteristic feature of its anatomy.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
flowers 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Salvia splendens has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include abietane, clerodane diterpenes, kaurene, kolavenol, olearin.

Total chemicals
7
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
abietane 1 ★☆☆☆☆
clerodane diterpenes 1 ★☆☆☆☆
kaurene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
kolavenol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
olearin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
salvisplendin A 1 ★☆☆☆☆
salvisplendin D 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Salvia splendens has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gastric diseases.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
gastric diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆