Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants
A comprehensive database of Tennessee native plants
Lyre-Leaved Sage, Cancer Weed
Lyre-Leaved Sage, Cancer WeedSalvia lyrataFull sun to full shade; moderately wet to dry moisture level; tolerant of a wide range of soils including loamy, sandy, rocky and clay; very strongly acid to neutral pH. 6 inches in height with a 12-18 inch foot flower spike; blue to lavender flowers; blooms between April and June and may bloom again lightly in fall. Self-sows prodigiously.Germination Code: May require a cool, damp pre-treatment period. Sow at 70 degrees F. and seed germinates in 7-14 days. Can also propagate by division, separating clumps in spring or fall.Native Region: StatewideA very adaptable, attractive, evergreen plant that is widespread in the eastern United States. Wavy-edged leaves are 3-8 inches long and resemble the lyre. Crushed leaves have a minty fragrance. Plant has showy flowers and the typical square stem and two-lipped blossom of the mints. Makes a good groundcover that can take mowing and being walked on. Tolerates periodic flooding, overwatering and drought. Hummingbirds, bumblebees, and some long-tongued butterflies visit blooms frequently.flower;sun;wet;clay |
 Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/   Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/  Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/  Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/
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Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants 
I love this plant. A friend gave me a plant about 6 years ago and now I have quite a few. It grows in anything from very deep shade to full sun. Flowers are pretty small (flower photo above is greatly enlarged) but leaf pattern is very striking. I have them popping up in different places in the yard and hate to pull them up and throw them away so I usually try to pot them up and move to new locations or give them away. If you can’t find any, e-mail me at joylarry@btes.tv and I may be able to mail you one depending on the timing.