Whitestem Sage

It is a much-branched perennial shrub, typically reaching up to 50 cm in height, although it may grow taller. The species epithet albicaulis means ″white-stemmed″ in Latin, and this is arguably the plant's most distinguishing feature: its acutely quadrangular stems are white with a dense indumentum of very fine, short hairs. The leaves are simple, thick, and leathery in texture. Their shape is variable, ranging from obovate to almost circular or spatula-shaped, with irregularly scalloped to toothed margins. They measure up to 3.5 cm long and 2.8 cm wide. Their upper surface is hairless or sparsely bristly, while the lower surface is white and densely hairy, with a prominent network of veins. The leaf stalk (petiole) is up to 1 cm long. The inflorescence is highly branched, with up to eight closely spaced whorls, each bearing two (occasionally three) flowers. The floral leaves are lance-shaped and fall off early. Bracts are present. Flower stalks (pedicels) are up to 3 mm long. The calyx is broadly bell-shaped, up to 12 mm long, with twelve veins, and is densely covered in long, white hairs. It expands little as the fruit develops. …