Cancer Weed Salvia lyrata
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Cancer Weed:
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-ah leer-RAY-tuh
- Description
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Lyreleaf sage is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family and native to the eastern and central United States. It may grow 1 to 2 feet tall, with leaves that originate at the base of the stem. Each basal leaf is lobed like a lyre, hence the species name, and lavender flowers occur in rings around the stem from mid-spring to early summer, attracting butterflies. The name Salvia is derived from the Latin term salveo, which means ‘be well’ and refers to the plant's medicinal properties.
Plant in average, medium-moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It tolerates heat and humidity, as well as drought once established. Lyreleaf sage is moderately resistant to browsing by deer. Propagate by collecting seeds before seed capsules fully dry out or by root division. It reseeds easily in loose, sandy soil.
Use this sage in a meadow, naturalized area, or woodland. Its dense form, short height, and tolerance for mowing make it an excellent lawn alternative. Plant it in a butterfly, drought tolerant, native, or pollinator garden. Because it tolerates occasional flooding and wet soil, it makes a good addition to a rain garden. American goldfinches will visit them for the seeds.
Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating.
Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- lyrata
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern and central United States
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. American goldfinches consume the seeds.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Description:
- Schizocarp has 4 chambers with 1 nutlet each
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1" bright to pale blue, white or violet flowers in whorls along the upper part of the plant from April to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Small bract-like dark green leaves veined with purple; basal leaves are 3 to 8 in. long and stalked; may have wavy toothed margins or deep pinnate lobes.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Simple or sparingly branched stems; hairy
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Foot Traffic
- Heat
- Wet Soil
