The More You Know: White Sage (Salvia Apiana)
today’s endangered species day!
While the plant I'm about to talk about may not be endangered, it certainly supports a variety of others who are.
White sage (salvia apiana) is a culturally and ecologically fragile ca native that needs protecting. This plant is a keystone species to coastal sage scrub, a community of plants and animals, many of which are threatened or on the endangered species list. for those of us living in southern california, we are surrounded by coastal sage scrub. It is the native habitat that dominated these parts before it was demolished by urban sprawl that eventually became the houses we live in today. Up to 90% of all coastal sage scrub habitat has been destroyed.
That being said, the small amount of habitat that remains is under threat by those searching for and illegally harvesting white sage. A plant that is now being sold commercially at an alarming rate. it’s important that we as consumers understand where our products are coming from and the laws and ethics that surround our purchases.
so, here’s what you need to know:
There is no permitting process regarding the collection of white sage. This means that harvesting is unregulated and leads to the destruction of vital habitat on public lands, putting many threatened and endangered species at risk.
Many of those public lands are sacred sites to a variety of indigenous peoples, including the Tongva and Serrano tribes.
When we purchase white sage we are commodifying the beliefs and traditions of these tribes for our own personal benefit. In doing so, we further colonize these indigenous cultures and peoples.
what can we do:
Encourage those around you to do their own research when it comes to plants, the medicine they offer, and the people who have been caring for them long before they were trendy.
Be skeptical of those who sell white sage and any other sacred plant for that matter. If you are going to make a purchase, avoid sources that say "Wild-harvested" as this leads to habitat destruction and is generally unchecked.
Grow your own and learn about the origins of white sage while supporting the indigenous communities from which it's from.
It’s extremely important to preserve our native species and the little remaining habitat we have left. No one does this better than @_native_hummingbird. If you are going to grow your own plants, please consider purchasing seeds from nick. He is a California native who's passion is restoring and protecting our precious landscape and is someone who should be celebrated and supported.
If you are interested in learning more about white sage, or any other plant for that matter, check out United Plant Savers whose mission it is to protect medicinal plants and their habitat. They wrote an excellent article last year titled, “What is going on with white sage”, about the commercial harvesting of white sage and the illegal collecting going on in the north Etiwanda preserve in Rancho Cucamonga. It's an insightful read and I highly recommend it!
Thanks for sticking around this long! Native plants are my passion and something I care deeply about *obviously*.