Salvia pratensis

Salvia pratensis, commonly known as meadow clary, is a herbaceous perennial in the mint family characterized by its rugose basal leaves and tall spikes of bluish-violet flowers. It is a hardy plant widely cultivated for ornamental purposes and cut flower arrangements.

It is native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, typically thriving in meadows, fields, and scrub edges. The species has also become naturalized in various parts of the United States.

It is widely grown in horticulture as an ornamental garden plant, with several cultivars prized by flower arrangers. Historically, the plant was also used as a flavoring agent for alcoholic beverages.

The seeds were historically ground into a paste and applied to clear eye irritations, a practice that inspired the common name 'clary' from 'clear-eye'. It was also traditionally used as a mouth gargle and as an early form of toothpaste.