Salvia ophiocephala
Encyclopedia
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 1200 metres (3,937 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
.
S. ophiocephala is an upright, many branched herb that grows up to 75 centimetres (29.5 in) high, with petiolate elliptic leaves that are 3 to 15 cm (1.2 to 5.9 in) by 1.5 to 9 cm (0.590551181102362 to 3.5 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.
Yungas
The Yungas is a stretch of forest along the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains from southeastern Peru through central Bolivia. It is a transitional zone between the Andean highlands and the eastern forests. Like the surrounding areas, it has characteristics of the Neotropic ecozone...
forest valley at 1200 metres (3,937 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 personata
Salvia personata is an annual herb that is native to valleys and foothills in the Andes of Bolivia and northern Argentina. It grows in disturbed bushy habitat at elevation.S...
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S. ophiocephala is an upright, many branched herb that grows up to 75 centimetres (29.5 in) high, with petiolate elliptic leaves that are 3 to 15 cm (1.2 to 5.9 in) by 1.5 to 9 cm (0.590551181102362 to 3.5 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.