Lyre leaf sage, Salvia lyrata, takes its name from the elongated basal leaves that broaden toward the tips. These large leaves are purple-tinged in winter. A 1-2 ft hairy square stem emerges from this rosette to bear uneven whorls of two-lipped lavender to blue flowers, sometimes even white. The shorter upper lip of the tubular flower has three lobes; the lower longer lip has two. Heaviest flowering is in the spring, but the plants may produce a few flowers at almost any time of year.
Lyre leaf sage is native to the eastern United States. It grows as far north as Connecticut and as far west as Oklahoma. It has been vouched in all parts of Florida except the southern tip and lower southeast sections. Right now it is in bloom along the local roadsides as well as in our garden.
Besides serving as a nectar plant for bees and butterflies, the young leaves, with their minty flavor, may be used in salads or cooked as a potherb. It has been touted as a remedy for warts and the roots were made into an astringent salve and applied to sores. Prepared as a tea it was used to treat asthma, coughs, and colds and as a gargle for sore throats and mouth infections.
Lyre leaf sage is an easy plant. It will grow in full sun to light shade, but the foliage color is stronger in brighter light. It tolerates both flooding and drought very well, though it grows best in moist soil. But beware; it has a tendency to reseed prolifically. In fact, it is suggested that its reputation as a folk remedy for cancer comes from the fact that since the plant can grow like a cancer upon the earth it is therefore said to cure it. Denny Girard says that it has taken over his yard. See him if you would like some plants!
References:
Floridata, #743 Salvia lyrata
http://www.floridata.com/ref/S/salv_lyr.cfm
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants, Salvia lyrata
http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3524
Alternative Nature Online Herbal, Lyre-leaved Sage
http://www.altnature.com/gallery/Lyre_leaved_sage.htm