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| ## Chia {#chia .Title-Header}                                         |
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| *Salvia columbariae* Benth.                                           |
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| Plant Symbol = SACO6                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

### Alternate Names![](media/image2.png){width="2.767361111111111in" height="1.8555555555555556in"}

Sage

# Uses

*Ethnobotanic*: Chia, the Spanish name for *Salvia columbariae*, is a
plant of great economic importance to many Native American tribes in
California, who have long used chia for food and medicinal purposes.
Historically, chia seeds were a staple food for many Pacific coast
groups including the Salinan, Costanoan and Chumash as well as inland
tribes such as the Paiute, Maidu, and Kawaiisu. Chia is one of the first
plants obtained by humans in Kawaiisu mythology (Zigmond 1981). Chia was
regularly cultivated along with corn in the fields of the Nahua peoples
of ancient Mexico. *Salvia columbariae* seeds were used by the Chumash
on Santa Rosa Island, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of
Southern California, as long as 600 years ago, as evidenced by radio
carbon dating of seeds found in pottery jars at burial sites there
(Clebsch 1997). Large beds of chia plants are reported to bloom in areas
that once were the locations of ancient Native American villages (Romero
1954). Chia is an important resource that was often managed by native
peoples. The Chumash and Cahuilla were among those groups who would
increase the following year's harvest by periodically burning stands of
chia plants (Timbrook et al. 1982;Bean & Saubel 1972).

Chia seeds are a valuable source of nutrients, protein and oil. When
roasted, they have a pleasant, nutlike flavor. The Diegueño took chia
seeds on journeys where a few seeds kept in the mouth and periodically
chewed, would keep up their strength (Hedges & Beresford 1986). One
tablespoon of chia seed is said to be enough to supply a person with 24
hours worth of energy.

The seeds were usually harvested by bending the stalks over a seed
burden or gathering basket and beating the seeds out of the prickly, dry
heads with a seedbeater. Even though the seeds are tiny, in this way,
several quarts could be gathered within a few hours. The Cahuilla tribe
of southern California would harvest the entire stalk and tie them into
bundles (Romero 1954). The bundles were then taken to a specially
prepared clear, hard area of ground where the seeds were separated by
thrashing the stalks with sticks and bare feet. Baskets were used to fan
away the chaff, leaving the seeds to be gathered.

After hulling and winnowing, the seeds were stored underground for later
use or were often parched with hot coals or pebbles in baskets or clay
trays. The seeds were pulverized in a bedrock mortar into a meal that
was used to make biscuits, cakes, and a mush called *pinole*. A porridge
or soup was made by mixing the ground seeds with water and then cooking
in a specially made watertight basket to which hot rock or stones were
added. Upon the arrival of wheat with the Europeans, the Cahuilla and
other native peoples continued to grind chia along with the wheat
berries (Barrow 1978). Mason (1912) writes that the Salinan mixed chia
with flour to make "tortillas, delicate and agreeable to the taste as if
they had kneaded them with lard." The Diegueño would "improve the
flavor" of a large quantity of wheat by adding only a small amount of
chia (Hedges & Beresford 1985).

Chia seeds contain a musilagenous substance and expand considerably into
a gelatinous volume when moistened. An aromatic, minty beverage could be
made by soaking raw chia seeds in water (Saunders 1923). Ground seeds
were soaked in water to make a refreshing beverage that is said to have
high thirst-quenching properties. Chia, used in this way, is also said
to make the alkaline water of the desert palatable.

Seeds mixed with water were also used to treat fevers (Bocek 1984). A
hot poultice of ground chia seeds was placed inside a cloth or bandage
and applied to infected areas of the body. Europeans quickly adapted
medicinal uses of chia; early California mission fathers learned how to
make an infusion from chia seeds to treat fevers and it is said that
chia makes the "finest poultice for gunshot wounds" (Jepson 1911). The
Costanoan were among the many tribes who used chia seeds to remove
foreign matter or reduce irritation of the eye (Bocek 1984). A single to
several of the whole seeds were dropped into the eye, and rolled around
or left in overnight. The Cahuilla tribe used chia seeds in this fashion
to remove sand in the eyes acquired from sandstorms encountered after a
long day of hunting (Romero 1954). Seeds were sometimes mashed with a
rock or hammer and placed in the eye overnight (Zigmond 1981). The film
that resulted from the gelatinous seeds in either method absorbed any
foreign body or irritant and helped to ease inflammation. Chia seeds
were often used for ceremonial offerings (Timbrook 1990).

*Other*: Chia is one of the traditional foods that is considered useful
by researchers in treating diabetes, a disease that afflicts many modern
Native Americans and may be attributed to the loss of many traditional
foods (Lowry 1999).

*Wildlife*: Chia flowers are an important source of nectar for bees and
butterflies. Many species of birds, small mammals, and insects eat the
seeds.

# Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

# Description

######## General: Mint family (Lamiaceae). Chia is native to western North America. The plants can vary greatly in size depending on moisture availability ranging, in both height and diameter, from 3 to 4 cm under very dry conditions to 60 cm under optimal conditions. The thick, wrinkled leaves (10 to 15 cm long) are dark green and deeply lobed with a thin covering of fine, soft, grayish hairs on the upper surface. Leaves grow predominantly from the basal area of the plant with smaller leaves growing up the stems. Several stems emerge from the base of the plant, each bearing from one to four interrupted (2 to 3 cm apart) button-like whorls of tiny, tubular flowers (6-16mm). The pale blue to deep blue flowers have two lips; the white-tipped lower lip is cleft into three lobes, with the central lobe slightly larger in size. Several contrasting leafy, burgundy-colored bracts subtend the flower heads. A spiny tip protrudes from a central notch in each bract. Each flower results in up to 13 tiny, gray to light brown, flat seeds 1.5-2mm in length. 

Flowers bloom in late spring or early summer, from March through June in
California. As the season progresses, the blossoms dry and turn from
clear blue to golden, and remain dry upon their stems. The tiny seeds
disperse by shaking out of the dry blossoms.

*Distribution*: Chia's native range extends through the coastal and
inner coast ranges of California from Mendocino County in the north to
Baja in the south. Chia grows throughout southern California and into
adjacent areas of Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Northwestern Mexico. Chia
was once more common in many of its native areas, but its populations
have declined due to overgrazing, urban development, and fire
suppression (Timbrook et al. 1982).

For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Web site.

*Habitat*: Chia is a member of the foothill woodland, coastal sage scrub
and chaparral communities in California, where it sometimes forms
extensive stands (Bean & Saubel 1972). It can be found in the open,
exposed grassy areas of woodlands, in sandy washes, dry, open plains,
hillsides and gravelly, disturbed sites. It is commonly found at
elevations below 1200 meters but is known to grow in some areas up to
2100 meters (Munz & Keck 1963).

# Adaptation

Chia is adapted to arid conditions and soils of low fertility. It is one
of the so-called "fire following" species, in that it increases in
abundance after a fire (Timbrook et al. 1982).

# Establishment

Annual wild flowers, such as chia, are generally planted directly into a
prepared bed or border area. Chia requires full sun, good drainage and
only enough water to become established. Do not plant chia near lawns
and other plants that require frequent watering.

Seeds may benefit from pretreatment, but this treatment may vary
depending on the origin of the seeds (Emery 1998). Ask your seed
supplier as to their recommendations. Broadcast the chia seeds in autumn
by sprinkling the seeds onto the surface of the soil. Rake the seeds
lightly into the soil. A light sprinkling of charate (the charred
remains of burned plants) over the sown seedbed has been shown to
increase germination (Emery 1988). Once established, Chia is quite
drought tolerant. The plants will tolerate some moisture during the
growing period but should not be watered frequently. Remove weeds as
they appear.

If necessary, seeds may be planted in flats in the early spring and then
transplanted later into a sunny, open area. Fill flats with a light,
porous soil. Appropriate soils may be purchased or a homemade
combination of equal portions of compost, garden loam and sand may be
used. Sprinkle the seeds evenly over the surface. Cover with a fine
layer of more soil not exceeding two times the diameter of the seed.
Lightly press the surface to insure contact of the seeds with
surrounding soil. Use a fine spray nozzle to gently water the flats.
Keep the flats evenly moist and do not let them dry out. Reduce watering
frequency after the seedlings emerge.

# Management

Chia will self-sow freely if the seeds survive predation by birds, mice
and ants. Several bee species have been observed pollinating chia,
however it also has the ability to self-pollinate in the absence of
these insect visitors (Visco & Capon 1970).

Chia hybridizes freely with other *Salvia* species, including perennial
shrubs, such as *S. mellifera* (Clebsch 1997).

### Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

# References

Bean, L.J. & K.S. Saubel 1972. *Temalpakh (from the earth): Cahuilla
Indian knowledge and usage of plants.* Malki Museum Press, Morongo
Indian Reservation. 225 pp.

Bickford, C. & P. Rich 1984. *Vegetation and flora of the Landels-Hill
Big Creek Reserve, Monterey County California.* Second Edition.
Publication No. 15, Environmental Field Program, University of
California, Santa Cruz, California. 122 pp.

Brenzel, K.N., Editor 2001. *Western garden book*. Sunset Publishing
Corp., Menlo Park, CA. 768 pp.

Brusa, B.W. 1975. *The Salinan Indians and their neighbors.* Naturgraph
Publishers, Inc., Happy Camp, CA. 95 pp.

Clebsch, B. 1997. *A book of Salvias: Sages for every garden.* Timber
Press, Portland, Oregon. 221 pp.

Emery, D.E. 1988. *Seed propagation of native California plants*. Santa
Barbara Botanic Gardens, Santa Barbara, CA. 115 pp.

Epling, C. 1938. *The California salvias: A review of Salvia, section
Audibertia.* Annals of the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Vol. 25. Pp
95-152.

Gifford, E.W. 1932. *The Northfork Mono.* University of California
Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 31. University of
California, Berkeley, CA. Pp. 15-65.

Hanes, T.L. 1990. *Terrestrial vegetation of California.* California
Native Plant Society Special Publication Number 9. M.G. Barbour & J.
Major, Editors. Sacramento, CA. Pp 417-469.

Hickman, J.D., Editor 1993. *The Jepson manual: Higher plants of
California.* University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. 1400 pp.

Hoover, R.L. 1971. *Food plants of the California Indians*. Pacific
Discovery Vol. 24, No. 3. Pp.11-17.

Jepson, W.L. 1911. *A flora of western middle California*. Second
Edition. Cunningham, Curtiss & Welch, San Francisco, CA. 515 pp.

Lowry, J.L. 1999. *Gardening with a wild heart: Restoring California's
native landscapes at home.* University of California Press, Berkeley,
CA. 252 pp.

Mason, J.A. 1912. *The ethnology of the Salinan Indians.* University of
California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology Vol. 10,
No. 4. Pp 97-240.

Mathews, M.A. 1997. *An illustrated field key to the flowering plants of
Monterey County and ferns, fern allies, and conifers*. California Native
Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. 401 pp.

Moerman, D.E. 1998 *Native American ethnobotany*. Timber Press,
Portland, Oregon. 927 pp.

Munz, P.A. & D.D. Keck 1963. *A California flora.* University of
California Press, Berkeley & Los Angeles, CA. 1681 pp.

Parsons, M. E. 1966. *The wild flowers of California.* Dover
Publications, Inc., New York, NY. 425 pp.

Prevost, R., Publisher & Editor 1974. *Nutritional & medicinal native
plants of California*. Renan Prevost, Lemon Grove, CA. 164 pp.

Romero, J.B. 1954. *The botanical lore of the California Indians: With
side lights on historical incidents in California.* Vantage Press, Inc.,
New York, NY. 82 pp.

Saunders, C.F. 1923. *With the flowers and trees in California.* Robert
M. McBride & Company, New York, NY. 286 pp.

Schmidt, M.G. 1980. *Growing California native plants.* University of
California Press, Berkeley, CA. 366 pp.

Sparkman, P.S. 1908. *The culture of the Luiseño Indians*. University of
California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology Vol. 8,
No. 4. Pp 187-234.

Timbrook, J. 1990 *Ethnobotany of Chumash Indians, California, based on
collections by John P. Harrington.* Economic Botany Vol. 44, No. 2. Pp
235-253.

Timbrook, J. 1986. *Chia and the Chumash: A reconsideration of sage
seeds in Southern California.* Journal of California and Great Basin
Anthropology Vol. 8, No. 1. Pp 50-64.

Timbrook, J., J.R. Johnson & D.D. Earle 1982. *Vegetation burning by the
Chumash*. Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology Vol.4, No.
2. Pp 163-186.

Visco, F.J. & B. Capon 1970 *Pollination mechanisms in three species of*
Salvia *native to Southern California.* Aliso Vol. 7, No. 2. Pp 231-242.

Walters, D.R., M. McLeod, A.G. Meyer, D.Rible, R O. Baker, & L. Farwell
1977. *Native plants: A viable option.* Special Publication No. 3,
California Native Plant Society, Berkeley, CA. 213 pp.

Webber, C. 1998. *Salvia columbariae.* Calflora & Digital Library
Project, University of California, Berkeley. \[Online\].
Available:<http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=16350&one=T>.
\[27 September 2001\].

Zigmond, M.L. 1981. *Kawaiisu ethnobotany.* University of Utah Press,
Salt Lake City, Utah. 102 pp.

# Prepared By: 

######## Diana L. Immel

Formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center,

c/o Environmental Horticulture Department,

University of California, Davis, California

# Species Coordinator: 

##### *M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center,

c/o Plant Sciences Department, University of California, Davis,
California

Edited: 29jan03 jsp; 09jun03 ahv; 060816 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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