Russian Sage

Appearance

''Perovskia atriplicifolia'' is a deciduous perennial subshrub with an erect to spreading habit. Superficially, it resembles a much larger version of lavender. Multiple branches arise from a shared rootstalk, growing to a height of 0.5–1.2 m , with occasional specimens reaching 1.5 m . The mature plant may be 0.6–1.2 m across . The rigid stems are square in cross-section, and are covered by an indumentum formed by stellate, or star-shaped, trichomes and oil droplets. Especially during autumn, these hairs give the stems a silvery appearance.

The grayish-green leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, and attached to the stems by a short petiole. They are generally 3–5 cm long and 0.8–2 cm wide , although narrower in some populations. The overall leaf shape is oblate, a rounded shape longer than it is wide, to lanceolate, shaped like the head of a lance. They are pinnatipartite, with a deeply incised leaf margin that may be either wavy or sharp-toothed; even within a single community of ''P. atriplicifolia'', there can be considerable variation in the details of leaf shape. Leaves near the top of branches may merge into bracts. The foliage is aromatic, especially when crushed, with a fragrance described as sage-like, a blend of sage and lavender, or like turpentine.

The flowering season of ''P. atriplicifolia'' can be as long as June through October, although populations in some parts of its range, such as China, may bloom in a much more restricted period. The inflorescence is a showy panicle, 30–38 cm long , with many branches. Each of these branches is a raceme, with the individual flowers arranged in pairs called verticillasters. Each flower's calyx is purple, densely covered in white or purple hairs, and about 4 mm long . The corolla is tube-shaped, formed from a four-lobed upper lip and a slightly shorter lower lip; the blue or violet blue petals are about 1 cm long. The style has been reported in both an exserted—extending beyond the flower's tube—form and one contained within the flower; all known examples of ''P. atriplicifolia'' in cultivation have exserted styles. Gardening author Neil Soderstrom describes the appearance of the flowers from a distance as "like a fine haze or fog".

Fruits develop about a month after flowering, and consist of dark brown oval nutlets, about 2 mm × 1 mm .

Naming

Nine species of ''Perovskia'' are recognized. ''P. abrotanoides'' shares much of the range of ''P. atriplicifolia'', but is distinguished by its bipinnate leaves. Hybrids between these two species may occur naturally. Restricted to Turkestan in its native range, ''P. scrophularifolia'' is less upright; some forms have white flowers. The flowers of ''P. scabiosifolia'' are yellow.

Distribution

Widely distributed across Asia in its native range, ''Perovskia atriplicifolia'' grows in western China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, and parts of eastern Europe. It is found in steppes and on hillsides, and grows at higher elevations in mountainous regions, including the Himalayas. It has been recorded at 10,000 ft of altitude in the Karakoram. In Pakistan's Quetta district, it is often found in association with the grass ''Chrysopogon aucheri'', and may serve as an indicator species for soils with low calcium carbonate and chloride availability. The harsh habitats preferred by ''P. atriplicifolia'' are comparable to the sagebrush steppe of North America.

In parts of its range, such as the Harboi, these steppe ecosystems are employed as rangeland for grazing animals such as sheep and goats, although this forage is generally of poor nutritional quality. ''P. atriplicifolia'' can serve as an important source of phosphorus and zinc, despite being high in poorly-digested material such as neutral detergent fiber and lignin.

Habitat

Widely distributed across Asia in its native range, ''Perovskia atriplicifolia'' grows in western China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, and parts of eastern Europe. It is found in steppes and on hillsides, and grows at higher elevations in mountainous regions, including the Himalayas. It has been recorded at 10,000 ft of altitude in the Karakoram. In Pakistan's Quetta district, it is often found in association with the grass ''Chrysopogon aucheri'', and may serve as an indicator species for soils with low calcium carbonate and chloride availability. The harsh habitats preferred by ''P. atriplicifolia'' are comparable to the sagebrush steppe of North America.

In parts of its range, such as the Harboi, these steppe ecosystems are employed as rangeland for grazing animals such as sheep and goats, although this forage is generally of poor nutritional quality. ''P. atriplicifolia'' can serve as an important source of phosphorus and zinc, despite being high in poorly-digested material such as neutral detergent fiber and lignin.

Uses

''Perovskia atriplicifolia'' has a long history of use in traditional medicine, especially as an antipyretic. It has also been employed as an antiparasitic and analgesic in Tibet, and smoked elsewhere as a euphoriant. In Balochistan, Pakistan, a decoction of the plant's leaves and flowers has been considered an anti-diabetic medication and a treatment for dysentery.

In addition to its use in folk medicine, ''P. atriplicifolia'' is sometimes used in Russia to flavor a vodka-based cocktail. Its flowers are eaten in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan, including Kashmir, adding a sweet flavor to salads; they can also be crushed to yield a blue colorant that can be employed in cosmetics or as a textile dye. This species is considered a candidate for use in phytoremediation because of its rapid growth, tolerance for harsh conditions, and ability to accumulate toxic heavy metals from polluted soil.