Have you seen this invasive plant? - Washington State Noxious ...

Have you seen this invasive plant?Mediterranean sage is an aggressive species that outcompetesdesirable forage plants in our rangelands.Learn more at www.nwcb.wa.govDuring the first year, the leavesare basal and have stalks. They are4-12 inches long and covered indense hairs, giving a silver-greenappearance. In mature plants,the upper leaves are opposite,smaller, and clasp the stem.Mature plants grow upto 3 feet tall and havealmost square stems.When leaves arecrushed, they producea sage-like smell.Images courtesy K. George Beck and James Sebastian, Colorado State University, Bugwood.orgClusters of 4-6 white flowersare found along the branchedinflorescence. The mint-likeflowers are irregularly shapedwith an upper and lower lobe.

Why is Mediterranean sage (Salvia aethiopis) a noxious weed?• Mediterranean sage outcompetes beneficial forageplants and is unpalatable to livestock and wildlife.• This biennial or short-lived perennial invades bothdisturbed and undisturbed habitats.Where do you find Mediterranean sage?• Well-drained riparian areas, pastures, and rangelandsare the most common habitats to find this plant.• Mediterranean sage is very limited in distribution andis found primarily in southwestern Washington.• Common mullein grows in similar habitats and can beconfused with Mediterranean sage; however, mulleinflowers are yellow, and leaves are not toothed and donot smell like sage.What can you do?• Learn to correctly identify this Class A noxious weed.• Please note that eradication is required in Washingtonto prevent it from gaining a foothold.• Report any sightings to your county noxious weedcontrol board or to noxiousweeds@agr.wa.gov.Printed 6/2010