Description:
Clary sage is an erect, much-branched biennial or perennial herb with large, triangular to egg-shaped leaves with leaf stems. The flowers occur in pairs of axillary cymes that arise from opposite bracts to form a false whorl. The flowers are bilabiate; the upper corolla lip is purple, and the lower lip is whitish. The entire plant is hairy and has a strong odor due to an essential oil (Tutin et al. 1972; Bianchini and Corbetta 1975).

• Mechanical: Hand-pulling should be effective to control clary sage.
• Biological: Although it was originally introduced to control Mediterranean sage (S. aethiopis), the crown/root weevil, Phrydiuchus tau, does feed on clary sage. However, clary sage is not the preferred host (L. Wilson, pers. comm.).
• Herbicide: Picloram, 2,4-D, and dicamba reportedly control this species. Due to the hairiness of the plant, a surfactant is necessary (L. Wilson, pers. comm.). Refer to the State Noxious Weed Control Board site

For More Information:
Detailed information about Clary Sage is available at the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board Web Site.