Description:
Mediterranean sage (Salvia aethiopis) is an erect, coarse biennial or short-lived perennial, with a stout taproot. The squarish stem, opposite leaves and bilabiate flowers are typical of the mint family. When crushed, a sage-like odor is emitted. The mature plant can reach 3 feet tall. The overall plant is covered with dense, woolly hairs, especially when young. Leaves of mature plants loose this felt-like covering of hairs, and become wrinkled, showing the prominent venation. During the first year of growth, Mediterranean sage is a basal rosette of grayish green leaves. The second year rosette is leafier, and the leaves are somewhat fleshy, with an almost felt-like appearance due to the hairs. The overall rosette is about 1 foot in diameter, although it can reach 4 feet wide.

• Mechanical: Individual plants can be dug out. When the plant begins to bolt, you can cut, or dig up, the taproot 2-3 inches below the crown, to prevent resprouting. Tillage does work, in accessible areas. Mowing several times during the growing season will prevent seed production, but the rosettes are low enough to escape any damage. Mowing will spread the seeds if done too late in the year.
• Biological: 142 species are associated with Mediterranean sage in Yugoslavia (Bogavac and Mitic-Muzina1972 as cited in Johansen 1988). The European crown boring weevil, Phrydiuchus tau, was introduced in 1969, and populations are established in ID, OR and CA. Seed production was slowed, and population density of Mediterranean sage is reduced, but the weevil populations are slow to establish, and they alone will not control the spread of Mediterranean sage. Ant predation on the weevil larvae is a problem in some OR sites (Johansen 1988; Roche’ and Wilson 1998). P. spilmani was introduced in 1971, but it did not establish (Rees and Coombs 1996 as cited in Roche’ and Wilson). The caterpillar stage of the moth (Stagmatophora pomposella) is effective only on the first year rosette, and there is no impact on mature plants (Mitic-Muzina and Bogavac 1971).
• Herbicide: Herbicides are an effective control method. A surfactant is necessary for plants in the rosette stage. When applied to Mediterranean sage before it bolts, Picloram at a rate between 0.375 and 0.5 lb. active ingredient per acre (ai/acre) (0.42 to 0.56 kg ai/ha) kills existing plants and seedlings from late germinating seeds. Spring application has a longer residual effect on new seedlings, and fall application releases desirable vegetation from competition during earliest spring growth. Clopyralid will kill existing plants without residual effects (Roche’ and Wilson 1998). Refer to the State Noxious Weed Control Board site

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