Salvia leucantha
Encyclopedia
Salvia leucantha is a herbaceous perennial that is native to subtropical and tropical conifer forests in central and eastern Mexico
. The flowers are usually white, emerging from coloured bracts. It is not frost hardy, but is often grown in warmer latitudes for its prominent arching velvety blue or purple inflorescence
s.
It grows up to 1.3 m (4.3 ft) high and 2 m (6.6 ft) wide, with numerous erect stems, often arching at their tips, and with long inflorescence
s. The linear-lanceolate leaves are a soft mid-green, with whitish, hairy undersides.
A recent analysis of the essential oil of S. leucantha found it to be rich in the sesquiterpene
hydrocarbons β-caryophyllene
, α-guaiene
, cis-muurola-3,5-diene, germacrene
Dm, and bicyclogermacrene, along with trace amounts of other compounds. This study contradicted earlier ones, which showed significantly different results and compounds, possibly "due to an error in the identification of plant material analyzed by the earlier auditors."
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The flowers are usually white, emerging from coloured bracts. It is not frost hardy, but is often grown in warmer latitudes for its prominent arching velvety blue or purple inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s.
It grows up to 1.3 m (4.3 ft) high and 2 m (6.6 ft) wide, with numerous erect stems, often arching at their tips, and with long inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s. The linear-lanceolate leaves are a soft mid-green, with whitish, hairy undersides.
A recent analysis of the essential oil of S. leucantha found it to be rich in the sesquiterpene
Sesquiterpene
Sesquiterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of three isoprene units and have the molecular formula C15H24. Like monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes may be acyclic or contain rings, including many unique combinations...
hydrocarbons β-caryophyllene
Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene , or -β-caryophyllene, is a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene that is a constituent of many essential oils, especially clove oil, the oil from the stems and flowers of Syzygium aromaticum , the essential oil of hemp Cannabis sativa, rosemary Rosmarinus oficinalis, and hops...
, α-guaiene
Guaiene
Guaienes are a series of closely related natural chemical compounds that have been isolated from a variety of plant sources. The guaienes are sesquiterpenes with the molecular formula C15H24. α-Guaiene is the most common and was first isolated from guaiac wood oil from Bulnesia sarmientoi...
, cis-muurola-3,5-diene, germacrene
Germacrene
Germacrenes are a class of volatile organic hydrocarbons, specifically, sesquiterpenes. Germacrenes are typically produced in a number plant species for their antimicrobial and insecticidal properties, though they also play a role as insect pheromones...
Dm, and bicyclogermacrene, along with trace amounts of other compounds. This study contradicted earlier ones, which showed significantly different results and compounds, possibly "due to an error in the identification of plant material analyzed by the earlier auditors."