The black or Peruvian sage does not come close to the common sage (S. officinalis) in its quality as a culinary herb and herbal tea plant, since its leaves are less aromatic and more bitter. The deep purple, black-looking flowers, however, taste very sweet due to the rich nectar they contain, so that they can be nibbled or used well in tea and on desserts.

The stems of the black sage are very sticky – especially in the area of the flowers -, all leaves and also the calyx are covered by a dense fluff, the indumentum.

If you look closely, you can see a small spider under one of the leaves.

• Edible whole herb Flower
• Culinary Group Kitchen herbs
• Taste aromatic bitter
• Trivial Names Peruanischer Salbei, Peru-Salbei, Schwarzer Salbei, Andean sage, Sauge Cassis, Sauge du Pérou, Sauge andine
• Size (leaf) 5 cm
• Taxonomy Lamiaceae (deadnettle family) Salvia discolor
• Origin Andes (Map)
• Locality Wissenschaftsgarten Frankfurt (FRG) 2018