Salvia ophiocephala is an annual herb that is endemic to Bolivia—as of 2007 there was only known to be one small colony growing in a Yungas forest valley at 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) elevation. The site is close to settlements and gold-mining, and therefore the plant is considered critically endangered. The specific epithet, ophiocephala, refers to the distinctive teeth in the calyx mouth which hints at the open mouth of a striking rattlesnake. It appears to be related to Salvia personata.
| Salvia ophiocephala | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Salvia |
| Species: | S. ophiocephala
|
| Binomial name | |
| Salvia ophiocephala J. R. I. Wood
| |
S. ophiocephala is an upright, many branched herb that grows up to 75 centimetres (30 in) high, with petiolate elliptic leaves that are 3 to 15 cm (1.2 to 5.9 in) by 1.5 to 9 cm (0.59 to 3.54 in). The inflorescence of simple racemes, with as many as 12 verticillasters that are 4–6-flowered, vary in length. The 15 cm (5.9 in) corolla is dirty white with blue lips, held in a calyx whose veins extend as teeth.[1]
Notes
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