Clary sage and meadow clary are two closely related species in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) is native to southern and eastern Europe, and the mid Asian regions of the former USSR. Meadow clary (S. pratensis) is native to the eastern European area of Russia and Morocco.

Both clary sage and meadow clary are Class A noxious weeds in Washington state because of their invasiveness, the difficulty to control field infestations and because of their limited distribution. At this time, known Washington infestations of both clary sage and meadow clary are limited to central Stevens County. Meadow clary is the more prevalent of the two. Clary sage is known from numerous sites in Idaho where it once covered 1,000 acres or more. Local floras mention clary sage and meadow clary growing together in disturbed habitats in eastern Washington and in northern and western Idaho.

Clary sage and meadow clary are also related to Mediterranean sage (S. aethiopis), a Class A noxious weed in Washington. Mediterranean sage covers an estimated 400 acres in Columbia County, and occurs in Klickitat County, WA. Mediterranean sage covers an estimated area of 1,300,000 acres in Oregon.

Clary sage is the tallest species of the genus. This much branched, erect herb can range from 20 inches to six feet tall. The large, mostly basal, stemmed leaves are triangular to egg-shaped, with toothed margins. Overall clary sage is covered with gland-tipped hairs, giving clary sage a strong odor. The flowers are arranged in whorls around the stem, at irregular intervals. The many branching side stems also support flowers. The flower color can range from white-pink-blue-purple. Each cluster of flowers is subtended by large, showy bracts that are often white to a pale green with rose colored tips.

Meadow clary is much smaller, ranging from 1 to 2 feet tall, with (usually) a single flowering stem. The leaves are similar to those of clary sage, but are generally more elongated with pointed tips. Meadow clary is also covered with small hairs, with the upper parts being glandular. Plants range from completely lacking in fragrance to extremely odoriferous. The whorls of flowers circling the stem are also similar to clary sage. The flowers are blue to violet, rarely pink or white. Inconspicuous bracts found under the flowers are considered a distinguishing characteristic - these bracts are small, egg-shaped and green.

The genus name, Salvia, is derived from Latin salvere - to be saved, referring to its medicinal properties. The inflorescence of clary sage yields an essential oil used in perfumery, distilling and flavoring tobacco. In Germany this oil is used for muscatel wine, beer and liquors. Both species, but particularly clary sage, are considered garden ornamentals.

Meadow clary is a fibrous rooted perennial that occurs on the Ponderosa pine site mentioned above, along roadsides and in sub-irrigated pasture land. Due to the hybridization of these two closely related species, field populations of clary sage and meadow clary can be difficult to distinguish. Bract length is a highly variable characteristic. In Idaho, the co-occurrence of the species is highly possible, but only anecdotal information is available. In the past all Salvia species were called "clary". In the 1920’s and 1930’s, vast areas of dry canyon lands in Idaho were infested with "clary."

Chemical control has been effective, to some extent, at controlling clary sage and meadow clary in Stevens County and in Idaho. Penetrating surfactants must be used along with the herbicides due to the hairy nature of the leaves and stems. Timing appears to be critical in control of meadow clary.

In Stevens County, late spring herbicide application to meadow clary was ineffective. Several plants exhibited top growth burn-down with extensive re-growth from root stock. Early spring application, bud stage and late fall (prior to first hard frost) applications have proven more effective.

A biological control insect, the Mediterranean sage weevil (Phrydiuchus tau), has proven effective on the closely related species, Mediterranean sage, and may have played a role in dramatically reducing a large infestation of "clary" in Idaho.

Please contact your local county noxious weed control program or Washington State Cooperative Extension office for site specific control recommendations.

By Bridget Simon, Education Specialist for the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board and Sue Winterowd, Coordinator of the Stevens County Noxious Weed Control Board.

Published June 1998.