Salvia mellifera

Species category

Herb or Spice 

Common name

black sage

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

NutletNutlet:
A small, dry, indehiscent carpel of a fruit, usually composed of one quarter of the fruit with each enclosing a single seed (e.g. mints).

Shape

OvalOval:
Broadly elliptic.

Size

  • Length 2–2.5 mm 
  • Width 1–1.3 mm 
  • Thickness 0.8–0.9 mm 

Color

Light brown with black reticulations

Texture

Shiny with black and brown stipplesStipples:
Numerous small dots or specks.

Other structures

Small hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
is at the base.

Identification notes

DorsalDorsal:
Upper side or back of a seed or fruit.
side rounded. VentralVentral:
Adaxial; of the side of an organ facing the axis (compare dorsal).
side with two flat sides separated by a ridge.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Lamiaceae

Valid name

Salvia mellifera Greene

 Salvia mellifera.  Nutlets with black reticulations.
Salvia mellifera. Nutlets with black reticulations.