white sage

noun

Also called greasewood. a shrubby plant, Salvia apiana, of the mint family, native to southern California, having white, hairy foliage and spikes of white or pale lavender flowers.
an aromatic, composite plant, Artemisia ludoviciana, of western North America, having leaves with a downy white undersurface.

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

The bees make a delicious honey from the wild, white sage, which grows where nothing else will live.

I learned afterwards that this plant was the nutritious white sage, which cattle eat freely, with good results.

As we cross the sandy divide, over which a wagon could drive anywhere, we find white sage in abundance.

Of a White Sage, Audibertia grandiflora; the lower fork of connective a mere vestige.

Of another White Sage (A. stachyoides), the lower fork of connective suppressed.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse