Salvia microphylla 'Red Velvet'

Salvia counts over 900 species so there are so many to choose from!

The microphylla species itself is a very complex species which easily hybridizes, resulting in numerous hybrids and cultivars brought into horticulture since the 1990s.So what is labelled microphylla may actually be greggii and what is greggii may actually be lemmonii... and since they all hybridize together... it's a real special kind of party.Though I am not a botanist, the research I have done has led me to believe that this is, in fact, a Salvia microphylla or a Graham's sage (flowers arranged in whorls, late spring heavy blooming, leaves are ovate and smooth and smell of blackcurrants when crushed)Additionally, the plant is grown as a medicinal plant in central Mexico and used to make tea, and has been demonstrated to possess anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties.In Ecuador, fresh leaves, and flowers of Salvia microphylla are used to treat inflammation of the arms, feet, and rheumatism

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  Research into the anticancer + anti-inflammatory properties of Salvia microphylla
  Research into the essential oils of Salvia microphylla
  
  

As always, please do your research! Not all plants are good for everyone, and some can even be dangerous.