Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata)

Salvia lyrata is known by the common names Lyre-leaf Sage, Lyreleaf sage, Wild sage and Cancerweed. I’ve seen it mainly in patches on both Walton County and Barrow County – along roadsides. In Fort Yargo State Park is grows as individual plants. There is also a patch that grows on the lake side of the dam where the flowers are a light blue-almost white. We have a patch by the drive near the road; this patch grows in the shade and the flowers are a definite blue. The name Lyreleaf comes from the characteristic shape of the leaves.

A typical patch of Salvia lyrata growing at our place by the drive near the road. This patch grows in almost total shade; flowers are a darker blue than those that grow in full sun.

An individual plant growing in the shade. Leaves are darker due to red pigmentation.

Leaves of an individual plant growing in partial shade or full sun are green. The leaf shape is characteristic of this species.


Flower heads are developing.

Flowers begin to open.

Some flowers fully opened.




Different views of an individual flower

The flowerhead goes to seed.

Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf Sage) is native to the United States. It grows in states bounded by New York-Connecticut to Kansas, south to Texas and east to Florida.
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Distribution Map:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf Sage)
- University of North Carolina Herbarium: Salvia lyrata

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata)
- Native & Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas and Georgia: Salvia lyrata
- Wikipedia: Salvia lyrata

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower