kruipsalie (Afr.)
Description:An easy and fast-growing herb, Salvia repens has rhizomes which spread to form small clumps of soft, hairy stems about 400 mm tall. Simple or branched, the stems are square ( typical of Salvia) and the leaves are formed opposite each other along the stem.
The leaves of S. repens are rough and hairy, with the veins more prominent on the bottom; the margins toothed and irregular and the leaves more crowded and bigger (30-100 x 8-45 mm) at the base of the stems.
The flowers are formed in clusters of 6-8. Formed close to the stem, the clusters of flowers are spaced closer together the nearer to the tip they are.The small, two-lipped flowers (16-24 mm in length) vary in colour from pure white to pale blue, mauve and purple. The main flowering season is during the summer from about October to March. Bees are the main pollinators. The seeds are small nutlets formed within the protection of the calyx
Distribution: Salvia repens is widespread throughout the summer rainfall, eastern part of South Africa. It is most commonly found in the grasslands of the highveld.
Uses: Traditionally the leaves have been added to the bath for treating sores, and a decoction of the root has been used for both humans and cattle for treating stomachache and diarrhoea. Smoke from burning the plant can be used as a fumigant. uses: medicinal (gyógynövény)