Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2927027

Lyreleaf Sage

Salvia lyrata

Also known as Lyre-leaved Sage, Cancerweed

Lyreleaf sage produces distinctive basal rosettes of violin-shaped leaves that often deepen to rich burgundy or purple along their central veins during cooler months. In spring, sturdy square stalks rise above the foliage to bear whorls of pale blue to lavender two-lipped blossoms specifically structured to brush pollen onto visiting bees. This tough native perennial colonizes open woods, sandy meadows, and sunny lawns across the eastern United States, often acting as a resilient groundcover.

WildflowerNativeGroundcover
Lyreleaf Sage reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Alex Abair, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alex Abair · cc-by
—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • White-tailed Deer
  • Eastern Cottontail
  • Grasshoppers
ThreatsBroadcast herbicide spraying, dense turf competition, severe habitat destruction
HabitatsOpen woodlands, meadows, savannas, roadsides, disturbed lawns
Life spanPerennial (3–8 years)
Classification
  1. OrderLamiales
  2. FamilyLamiaceae
  3. GenusSalvia
  4. SpeciesSalvia lyrata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Identification: Look for the lyre-shaped basal leaves with scalloped lobes and purplish central veins.
  • Pollinator Gardening: Leave early spring flower stalks uncut in lawns to provide essential nectar for native bees.
Related species
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