Family: Lamiaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha) is a flowering subshrub native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows primarily in seasonally dry tropical regions. This attractive ornamental plant is widely valued for its long arching stems, soft gray-green foliage, and striking purple-and-white velvety flower spikes that bloom over an extended season. Mexican bush sage is commonly planted in gardens and landscapes to attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. In its native range, it has also been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments.

Risks & Threats
Although Salvia leucantha is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses several traits that warrant concern. The species produces abundant seeds, can spread vegetatively, and is well adapted to warm climates similar to those found throughout Hawaii. In other regions, it has demonstrated the ability to persist outside cultivation and form dense stands that may compete with native vegetation. If it were to escape cultivation, it could potentially alter plant communities, reduce habitat quality for native species, and negatively impact tropical island ecosystems. Because of these risks, Plant Pono recommends choosing a low-risk or native alternative whenever suitable options are available.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Grows in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in Australia, India and possibly elsewhere (but no evidence to date from Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Reported to be weedy in gardens and other cultivated settings
  
• Other Salvia species are invasive weeds
  
• May be unpalatable to animals
  
• Reported to cause stock poisoning in Australia (unconfirmed)
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively
  
• Reaches maturity in one growing season
  
• Intentionally dispersed by people
  
• Tolerates heavy pruning and resprouts after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Ornamental value