Family: Lamiaceae
Salvia reflexa (lanceleaf sage, mintweed) is a perennial herb native to parts of North and South America, including regions of the United States, Mexico, and Central America. It typically grows in moist and disturbed habitats such as streambanks, meadows, and wetlands, and has become naturalized in Australia, New Zealand, Africa and other regions of the world. It has also been detected and may be naturalized on the island of Oahu. Although it is primarily a weed of disturbed sites, it spreads easily by seed and may impact grazing areas by forming dense cover that is unpalatable and toxic if eaten.
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability (can grow in temperate to subtropical climates).
- Naturalized in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Argentina and elsewhere.
- Showing signs of naturalization on Oahu, Hawaiian Islands.
- A weed of cultivation, run-down pastures, roadsides, and waste places that may impact agriculture.
- Other Salvia species are invasive weeds.
- Potentially allelopathic.
- Unpalatable to browsing and grazing animals.
- Toxic to browsing and grazing animals (although usually avoided).
- Tolerates many soil types.
- May form dense monocultures.
- Reproduces solely by seeds.
- Facultatively xenogamous (self-compatible, but adapted for cross-pollination).
- Reaches maturity in one growing season.
- Seeds dispersed by gravity, water, in mud sticking to hooves and pelts of animals, and to footwear, farm machinery and other vehicles.
- Seeds may also be dispersed as an impurity in agricultural produce.
- Prolific seed production.
- Seeds may form a persistent seed bank (2 years).
Low Risk Traits:
- Primarily a weed of disturbed soils, invading and replacing pastures weakened by overgrazing.
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs).
- Grows best in high light environments (dense shade may inhibit spread).
- Proper pasture management and cultivation may provide effective control.
- Herbicides may provide effective control.
