Salvia nubicola

Salvia nubicola is a herbaceous perennial native to a wide region that includes Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, southwest Asia and Europe. It grows at 2,000 to 4,300 metres in dry forests, often with Pinus wallichiana, in large colonies in woodland clearings, and is especially common in the Muktinath Valley. It is used in traditional Tibetan medicine, though the page does not say which part is used. The species name nubicola means dweller among the clouds, for its high mountain habitat. For many years it was considered the same plant as the European Salvia glutinosa, sticky sage. The plant reaches about 0.9 metres high and wide, with triangular fresh-green leaves, and pale yellow flowers with finely spotted maroon markings on the upper lip. The calyx is hairy, sticky and glandular and gives off a medicinal odour when rubbed, which makes animals avoid it.