| Tropical sage, Scarlet sage, Blood sage
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| Salvia coccinea
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| Lamiaceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Wildflower gardens. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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| Availability: |
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Widely available in central Florida. Commonly available at native plant nurseries in northeast and South Florida. Available in Lake Worth at Indian Trails Native Nursery
and at Amelia's SmartyPlants (561-540-6296)., in Boynton Beach at Sustainscape (561-245-5305), and in Groveland at Green Isle Gardens (321-436-4932). |
| Description: |
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Medium to large herbaceous wildflower. |
| Height: |
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About 2-4 feet in height. Generally taller than broad. |
| Growth Rate: |
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Fast. |
| Range: |
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Generally considered native to the southeastern United States and tropical America; now widely cultivated and naturalized in the tropics and subtropics. |
| Habitats: |
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Hammocks and disturbed sites, including along the coast. |
| Soils: |
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Moist, well-drained sandy soils, with humusy top layer. |
| Nutritional Requirements: |
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Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive. |
| Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water. |
| Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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High; can tolerate moderate amounts of salt wind without significant injury. |
| Drought Tolerance: |
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High; does not require any supplemental water once established. |
| Light Requirements: |
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Full sun to light shade. |
| Flower Color: |
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Red. |
| Flower Characteristics: |
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Showy. |
| Flowering Season: |
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All year; peak in spring. |
| Fruit: |
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Inconspicuous nutlet. |
| Wildlife and Ecology: |
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Nectar plant for butterflies and hummingbirds. Provides nectar, seeds and insects for other birds. |
| Horticultural Notes: |
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Can be grown from seed. |
| Comments: |
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See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page. |
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