Σάλβια η φυλλώδης
Etymology of Salvia verbenaca: The genus's name comes from the Latin "salvo", which means "to save", referring to the genus's medicinal properties, allegedly capable of "saving lives". "Verbenaca" is the Latin for "leafy brunch" or "leafy twig", referring to the plant's foliage.
At least ten Salvia species/kinds grow without human intervention in Cypriot nature, of which two appear exclusively in occupied northern Cyprus. An eleventh species might exist, this one also in northern Cyprus, but there is not much proof regarding its existence.
Salvia verbenaca has characteristic large, broad leaves and light mauve flowers. The leaves and stems are covered in glandular hairs and the plant has a slight, pleasant scent. It is a common plant that appears in all Cyprus districts, at an altitude of up to 1750 metres. Its flowering time is usually between January and April, but it can extend for longer. Salvia verbenaca is found in open grassland, sand dunes and roadsides.
