Clary

Clary (Salvia selarea), a native of southern Europe, which has been cultivated from a very early period for its aromatic and other properties. It is a biennial (2 feet), with clammy stem, large, heart-shaped, rough, doubly crenate leaves, and whorls of pale-blue flowers in loose terminal spikes, with large coloured bracts. Clary is antispasmodic and stimulating, and is used for seasoning soups, and in confectionery, while a fermented wine is prepared from its flowers.—A British species of Salvia (S. Verbenaca) is sometimes called Wild Clary; S. pratensis, Meadow Clary; and S. horminum, Annual Clary. See SAGE.