Chia
Salvia columbariae
Chia is a small but historically significant wildflower native to the deserts and foothills of the American Southwest. Known for its spiky purple blooms and nutritious seeds, this plant has been used for centuries by Native peoples as both food and medicine.
Appearance:
An annual wildflower that typically grows 6 to 20 inches tall. It has rough, hairy leaves at the base that are often lobed or toothed. The flower stalks hold round, spiny clusters of tiny purple to blue flowers, often blooming in several layers or whorls. The plant has a rugged look but produces delicate, nectar-rich flowers.
Habitat:
Found in sandy or rocky soils in deserts, chaparral, and coastal foothills. Grows across California, Arizona, Nevada, and into northern Mexico.
Bloom Time:
Blooms from March to May, depending on rainfall.
Pollinators:
Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The tubular flowers are especially popular with native bees.
Traditional Use:
Chia seeds were an important food source for Native American tribes. The seeds are rich in oil, protein, and fiber, and were eaten raw, ground into meal, or mixed with water to make a kind of drink or porridge.
Note:
Chia is a great example of a plant that’s both beautiful and useful. Its purple flowers brighten the spring landscape, and its seeds remain a valuable part of desert plant lore.