Chia

Requires a light to medium well-drained fertile soil in a warm sunny position. Plants are not very frost tolerant but can be grown as summer annuals in Britain. This species is widely cultivated for its edible seed in Mexico. Many of the plants cultivated under this name are in fact S. lavandulifolia. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Sage usually flowers in late spring to early summer, generally between May and June (Northern Hemisphere), depending on the specific species and growing conditions. Sage is a moderately fast-growing herb, often reaching maturity in about 1 to 2 years under optimal conditions.

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Drink When soaked in water, the seeds form a gelatinous mass which is flavoured with fruit juices and consumed as a cooling drink. The gelled seeds can also be prepared as a gruel or pudding. The sprouted seeds are eaten in salads, sandwiches, soups, stews etc. Due to their mucilaginous property they are often sprouted on clay or other porous materials. The seed can be ground into a meal and made into bread, biscuits, cakes etc, usually in a mix with cereal flours. The seed is a good source of protein and easily digested fats.

Agroforestry uses: Sage can be used as a companion plant to attract pollinators and beneficial insects. Its aromatic leaves may also deter some pests, making it useful in pest management strategies. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes – Salvia species are excellent for pollinators. The flowers are rich in nectar, attracting bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – Although the seeds and fruits are not significant food sources, the dense foliage can provide some shelter for wildlife, and it can serve as ground cover for small animals or invertebrates. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – Sage plants provide ground cover and their woody stems and dense leaf litter can offer overwintering sites and protection for beneficial insects. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): Yes – Sage has a strong, aromatic smell that can repel pests like insects and herbivores. It is often planted as a companion plant to deter harmful pests.

Heimisch: Antioquia, Boyacá, Cundinamarca, BR, CO, Germany [I]; Bulgaria [I]; Java [I]; USA [I] (Florida [I], New York [I], Texas [I]); Mexico (Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Ciudad de Mexico, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico State, Michoacán, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Queretaro, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Veracruz); Guatemala; El Salvador [I]; Honduras [I]; Nicaragua [I]; Costa Rica [I]; Cuba [I]; Colombia [I]; Venezuela [I]; Ecuador [I]; Bolivia [I], Guatemala, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, NO, North America, Pasto, conterminous 48 United States Eingeführt: Austria, Bahamas, Baleares, Belgium, Bolivia, Brussels-Capital Region, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Colombia, Cuba, Czechia-Slovakia, EC, Ecuador, El Salvador, Flemish Region, Florida, Germany, Great Britain, Honduras, IR, IT, Jawa, Madeira, Nicaragua, SC, SE, Sardegna, Spain, Texas, Venezuela, Walloon Region