It's fuzzy. It has a square stem, (stems are purplish) and it grew very slowly for a year before starting to flower. Here it is in bud. If you'd like to see the flower let me know. Should be any day now. Thanks for your help! Susan
I think you will find this is Salvia sclarea. You may also find it is on your state's poop list, I believe WA has taken some steps in that direction. After you check the ID, look for something like "Oregon Noxious Weeds".
Thank you. You are so right about it being Salvia Sclarea. A google images search turned up this twin to my posted image. http://www.frost-burgwedel.de/pages/bilder/salvia_sclarea_knospe.jpg I am good at growing noxious weeds, but this one doesn't seem to be on our official list yet. I do see it on WA's though, so nuff said. http://www.englishplants.co.uk/clary.html mentions some interesting medicinal properties: "... infusion for tired or inflamed eyes. "The leaves of Clarie taken any manner of way, helpeth the weaknesse of the backe" - so said Gerard in 1633. Clary wine used to be valued as an aphrodisiac. Clary oil is used in perfume as a fixative. It is a good bee plant. Use the leaves in soups and stews. Infusions of leaves are used as lotions for cuts and as a gargle for mouth ulcers. Plant is also used in flavouring alcoholic drinks. It was sometimes used in the nineteenth century as a hop substitute in beer-making. It was believed in Guernsey that a poultice of leaves would draw out splinters. Clary lowers blood pressure, relieves wind and colic, and heightens the feeling of intoxication when added to wine."
