Salvia occidentalis (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Salvia occidentalis Swartz

Family: Labiatae

Synonyms

• Salvia procumbens Ruiz & Pavon.

Vernacular names

• Indonesia: langon, legetan warak, randa nunut (Javanese).

Distribution

Occurring naturally throughout tropical America to Florida. Introduced into Indonesia.

Uses

Tested as a cover crop in Indonesia. Its present utilization is unknown.

Observations

• Strongly branched, foetid, annual herb, up to 1.6 m tall.
• Leaves ovate to rhomboid, 2-6 cm long, apex acute, base cuneate, margin serrate, upper surface appressed hairy, lower surface hirtellous, or both sides glabrous.
• Inflorescence an interrupted spike with mostly 6-flowered whorls.
• Calyx 2 mm long (3 mm in fruits), hairy, glandulose, upper lip rounded-truncate, lower lips ovate-acuminate; corolla blue, tube 2.5 mm long.

S. occidentalis is naturalized in Java, especially in the eastern parts, up to 850 m altitude. It is suitable for heavy clay, quickly providing an adequate cover. Once established it prevents the formation of an Imperata grass cover.

Selected sources

• León, H. & Alain, H. (pseudonyms of Sauget, J.S. & Liogier, E.E.) (Editors), 1946-1962. Flora de Cuba [Flora of Cuba]. 5 volumes. P. Fernandez & Cía, Havana, Cuba.
• Mansfeld, R., 1986. Verzeichnis landwirtschaflicher und gärtnerischer Kulturpflanzen (ohne Zierpflanzen) [Register of cultivated agricultural and horticultural plants (without ornamentals)]. Schultze-Motel, J. et al., editors 2nd edition, 4 volumes. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Germany. 1998 pp.

Authors

• M.S.M. Sosef & L.J.G. van der Maesen