Fauna
Plant

Jerusalem Sage

Phlomis fruticosa

Also known as Shrubby Jerusalem Sage

Jerusalem sage is a drought-hardy evergreen shrub renowned for its felted grey-green foliage and dense whorls of hooded yellow blossoms. In its native Mediterranean scrub, it acts as a resilient pioneer plant, stabilizing rocky hillsides against erosion while withstanding harsh summer droughts. The hairy leaves reflect intense sunlight and conserve precious moisture, providing critical nectar resources for native long-tongued bees and solitary insects throughout the arid blooming season.

MediterraneanFloweringDrought-Tolerant
Jerusalem Sage reference1 / 7
Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil nutrients
Predators
  • Domestic goat
  • Domestic sheep
  • Green peach aphid
ThreatsOvergrazing by livestock, agricultural expansion, and intense wildfire regimes
HabitatsMediterranean garrigue, maquis, dry rocky limestone slopes, and open scrublands
Life span15–25 years
Classification
  1. OrderLamiales
  2. FamilyLamiaceae
  3. GenusPhlomis
  4. SpeciesPhlomis fruticosa
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
  • Leaf Inspection: Gently touch the foliage to notice the soft, woolly felt that protects it from dehydration.
  • Pollinator Watching: Observe the tight flower whorls during midday sun to spot specialized wild bees probing the petals.
  • Garden Cultivation: Plant in well-drained, lean soil under full sunlight to prevent root rot in wet winter conditions.
Related species
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