Family: Lamiaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Salvia guaranitica (black and blue salvia) is a flowering shrub native to southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina, where it grows in subtropical habitats. This attractive perennial is known for its tall stems, lush green foliage, and striking deep blue flowers with nearly black calyces, which give rise to its common name. Black and blue salvia is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes because of its long blooming season and ability to attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is commonly used in borders, cottage gardens, and wildlife-friendly plantings.

Risks & Threats:
Although Salvia guaranitica is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses traits that are cause for concern and could potentially detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems if it were to escape cultivation. This species can spread through seeds and vegetative growth, forming dense clumps that may compete with other vegetation. Its adaptability to a range of growing conditions and vigorous growth habit increase the potential for establishment outside managed landscapes. Because island ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to invasive species, continued caution is warranted. When selecting plants for landscaping, choosing a low-risk or native alternative is recommended whenever suitable alternatives are available.

High Risk Traits:

• Native elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Able to grow in tropical climates
  
• Possibly naturalized in New Zealand and Chile (confirmation needed)
  
• Regarded as an aggressive garden weed in some locations
  
• Other Salvia species are invasive
  
• Possibly unpalatable to browsing/grazing animals (may increase competitive ability in natural environment)
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively running rootstock
  
• Able to reach maturity in 1 year
  
• Seeds dispersed by gravity and intentionally by people
  
• Able resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Provides fodder for livestock (palatable despite reports of toxicity
  
• Ornamental
  
• Bird-pollinated (may limit seed set in environments lacking appropriate pollinators)