Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia Leucantha) アメジストセージ

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha) is native to subtropical and tropical conifer forests in central and eastern Mexico. It's said to have been brought to Japan in the Meiji period (1868-1912) for ornamental purposes. It's known as amethyst sage in Japan because of its deep, amethyst-colored calyces.

11/1/2026

Anise-Scented Sage (Salvia Guaranitica) ガラニチカ

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Arghhhhhhhhhh! Om nom nom..." I ran towards the sounds and found them: a purple flower devouring a common straight swift butterfly (1st photo) and shouting (3rd)!

These are anise-scented sage or hummingbird sage flowers (Salvia guaranitica). Their color is so beautiful, but the flowers look to me like reptiles opening their mouths. Hummingbird sage is native to South America and is said to have been brought to Japan for ornamental purposes in the late 19th century. Now, they have grown wild and out of control, even in Central Tokyo.

2022/9/24

Mealycup Sage & Maile Pilau Hornworm サルビア・ファリナセア & ホシホウジャク

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Mealycup sages (Salvia farinacea) are native to North America and Mexico. They're perennial there but annual in Japan. Hovering over them are burnt-spot hummingbird hawkmoths (Macroglossum pyrrhosticta). Surprisingly to me, they're not bees or wasps but moths. I've seen them many times, but they move from one flower to another so swiftly that I had no chance to photograph them. Today, however, while I was taking photos of the sages, hawkmoths came to the flowers, luckily giving me the chance to take pictures of them. Their larvae's host plants are skunkvine. 

2025/10/3

2025/10/3

2025/10/3