Wild One Cyprus

foraging food

sage

Σπατζιά

adaçayı

Scientific Name: Salvia fruticosa, Salvia willeana

other names: Χαχομηλιά, Faskomilia, three-leafed sage, Three-lobed Sage, Greek Sage

AVAILABLE: FEB-OCT

EDIBLE PARTS:

Description

a shrub with wood stems. Covered with short, dense white wool
leaves appear on green square stems
Salvia fruticosa has ovate egg-shaped, narrow at base to ovate egg-shaped, narrow at base -lanceolate pointed at both ends leaves with 3 lobes at the base
Salvia willeana has ovate egg-shaped, narrow at base to elliptic oval-shaped, small or no point leaves

preparation

pick the leaves and flowers for use in cooking
Steep leaves and flowers in boiling water for tea
Tie in bunches and hang upside down to dry

extra info

There are several varieties of Sage in Cyprus: Salvia aethiopis, Salvia dominica, Salvia hierosolymitana, Salvia lanigera, Salvia pinnata, Salvia sclarea, Salvia veneris
Salvia verbenaca and Salvia viridis.

They all have aromatic and flavourful leaves.

Calyx

The Calyx are the sepals of a flower. The sepals are petal/leaf structures that form a protective layer around a flower bud.

When the flower opens, the calyx is the part thats holds the flower to the stem.

Salvia fruticosa
The calyx is 6-10 mm long, shown in dark green. The leaves have three lobes, a leathery texture, highly aromatic with a strong flavour.

Salvia willeana
The calyx is 10-14 mm long, shown in dark brown and yellow. The leaves are smaller, soft, hairy with a milder and slightly sweeter flavour. This variety is often used in teas, infusions, and as a garnish for salads or desserts.

sage

Σπατζιά

adaçayı

Description

preparation

extra info

Calyx

Also available in

October

recipes

Thistles

Leaf Morphology

Index

references

toxic