black sage

American  

noun

1. a shrubby Californian plant, Salvia mellifera, of the mint family, having an interrupted spike of lavender-blue or white flowers.

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Etymology

Origin of black sage

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Example Sentences

Depending on the season, fields are filled with a variety of greens, cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes and peppers, while herbs like basil, black sage, rosemary and marjoram perfume the gardens.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

In their online metaphysical shop Quiiroi, Kitha sells bundles of rosemary, cedar and black sage, as well as mugwort, although they are sold out of that at the moment.

From Washington Post • Jan. 13, 2023

David Bryant, the campaigns & engagement manager for the California Native Plant Society, waxes rhapsodic about the way black sage leaves enhance vanilla flavor.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2022

The View comes in active black, sage green, and lavender dream, while the Charge 5 is available in steel blue / platinum, black / graphite, and lunar white / gold.

From The Verge • Oct. 13, 2021

The wind sighed, and rose steadily, to sweep over him with breath of ice, with the fragrance of juniper and black sage and a tang of cedar.

From Heritage of the Desert by Grey, Zane