Sage of Virtue.
Leaves narrow, hoary, toothed towards the base; the spikes of flowers are long, and nearly leafless; flowers deep-blue; the seeds are similar to those of the Red-leaved, and produced four together in an open calyx. Compared with the Common Red-leaved or Green-leaved, the leaves are much narrower, the spikes longer and less leafy, and the flowers smaller and of a deeper color.
The variety is mild flavored, and the most esteemed of all the sorts for use in a crude state; as it is also one of the best for decoctions.
"At one period, the Dutch carried on a profitable trade with the Chinese by procuring the leaves of this species from the south of France, drying them in imitation of tea, and shipping the article to China, where, for each pound of sage, four pounds of tea were received in exchange."—M'Int.
Variegated-Leaved Green Sage.
A sub-variety of the Green-leaved, with variegated foliage. It is not reproduced from seeds, and must be propagated by slips or by dividing the roots.
Variegated-Leaved Red Sage.
This is but an accidental variety of the Common Red-leaved Sage, differing only in its variegated foliage. It can be propagated only by cuttings or by a division of the roots.