Salvia aurea

This species was previously known as Salvia africana-lutea, however, according to the rules of botanical nomenclature, hyphenated names should not be used.

This grey-hairy shrub is very well known for its aromatic leaves and can be found all over Steenbok. The flowers are yellowish-brown to begin with, fading into a rusty-orange before the saucer-like calyx becomes inflated and papery with age. Within the calyx are found the small black seeds which will be dispersed by the wind when mature.

Salvia comes from the Latin, salvere, meaning to save or heal, referring to the healing properties of these plants. The species name, aurea, means golden.