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Salvia melaleuca

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Salvia melaleuca
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Salvia
Species:
S. melaleuca
Binomial name
Salvia melaleuca
Subspecies
  • S. melaleuca subsp. melaleuca
  • S. melaleuca subsp. totensis J.R.I. Wood & Harley

Salvia melaleuca is a perennial undershrub that is endemic to the north central region of the Eastern Cordillera in Colombia. It is a close relative of S. rubescens, with a villous and much larger corolla than that species. Salvia melaleuca grows approximately 0.5 to 2.5 m (1.6 to 8.2 ft) high, has a red corolla that is 3.5 to 4.5 cm (1.4 to 1.8 in) long, with the upper lip typically 9 mm (0.35 in) long but sometimes up to 15 mm (0.59 in).

Subspecies

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It is divided into two subspecies: S. melaleuca subsp. melaleuca and S. melaleuca subsp. totensis. Subsp. melaleuca has leaves that are smooth on the upper surface, and racemes with 6–10 verticillasters that are up to 25 cm long. Subsp. totensis has leaves that are hairy on the upper surface, with racemes that typically have 3–5 verticillasters, growing to 10 cm long.[1]

References

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  1. ^ Wood, J. R. I.; Harley, R. M. (1989). "The Genus Salvia (Labiatae) in Colombia". Kew Bulletin. 44 (2). Springer: 232–236. doi:10.2307/4110799. JSTOR 4110799.