Classification (APG IV)
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Salvia
Species: Annual clary - Salvia viridis L.

Botanical Description
Salvia viridis (annual clary or painted sage) is an aromatic, annual hermaphroditic herbaceous plant in the family Lamiaceae, genus Salvia. The plant has an upright, square, often reddish-tinged, hairy stem. It branches oppositely, and the leaves are also arranged oppositely. The leaves are ovate with rounded tips, serrated edges, and hairy surfaces. The flowers are arranged in verticillasters along the inflorescence stem, with up to six flowers per verticil. The verticillasters are accompanied by small, hairy bracts. The inflorescence terminates in colorful bracts, which can be purple, pink, or reddish.

The flowers are bilabiate with a two-lipped, five-parted calyx and a bilabiate corolla. The upper lip is purple, while the lower lip is white. The flowering period lasts over a month, from June to August.

Distribution
Salvia viridis is native to the Caucasus and Iran and grows in Turkey and other Mediterranean countries. It thrives in sunny locations on dry, rocky soils, such as fields and desert areas. [1–4] In Europe, Salvia viridis is cultivated as an ornamental plant. [1, 3]

Properties and Uses
The plant has been used in Turkish folk medicine for treating gums, eyes, and throat, as well as for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. In Iran, it was used to treat colds, infections, and eye inflammation or pain, with seeds often used for eye cleansing. [1, 2] Historically, Salvia viridis was used to flavor alcoholic beverages. Leaves were added to fermentation vats to enhance the strength and flavor of liqueurs. [2, 4, 5] Both Greeks and Romans used the plant to flavor wine. [3, 4]

Today, annual clary is primarily grown in Europe, including Estonia, as an ornamental plant. [1, 3] Compounds extracted from the plant have demonstrated antiviral properties. [1, 2] However, only garden sage (Salvia officinalis) is widely used medicinally among sages. [6]

References
1. Grzegorczyk-Karolak, I., & Kiss, A. K. (2018). Determination of the Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Properties of Salvia viridis L. Shoots: A Comparison of Aqueous and Hydroethanolic Extracts. Molecules 2018, Vol. 23, Page 1468, 23(6), 1468. DOI link.
2. Grzegorczyk-Karolak, I., Staniewska, P., Lebelt, L., & Piotrowska, D. G. (2022). Optimization of cultivation conditions of Salvia viridis L. shoots in the Plantform bioreactor to increase polyphenol production. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 149(1–2), 269–280. DOI link.
3. Tucker, A. O., & DeBaggio, T. (2009). The Encyclopedia of Herbs: A Comprehensive Reference to Herbs of Flavor and Fragrance. London: Timber Press. Google Books.
4. Salvia viridis - L. Plants For A Future. Online resource.
5. Salvia viridis. Wikipedia. Online resource.
6. Raal, A. (2010). Maailma ravimtaimede entsüklopeedia. Tallinn: Eesti Entsüklopeediakirjastus.

Süstemaatiline kuuluvus (APG IV)
Riik: Taimed (Plantae)
Klaad: Soontaimed (Tracheophyta)
Klaad: Katteseemnetaimed (Angiospermae)
Klaad: Päriskaheidulehelised (Eudicotyledonae)
Selts: Iminõgeselaadsed (Lamiales)
Sugukond: Huulõielised (Lamiaceae)
Perekond: Salvei (Salvia)
Liik: Kirju salvei - Salvia viridis L.

Botaaniline kirjeldus
Kirju salvei on üheaastane mõlemasuguline rohttaim huulõieliste sugukonnast, perekonnast salvei. Taim on aromaatne. Taimel on püstine, neljakandiline, tihti punakat tooni, karvane vars. Taim haruneb vastakalt. Ka leheseis on vastak. Lehed on munajad, ümara tipuga. Lehe serv on täkiline. Leht karvane. Õied paiknevad männastena õisikuvarrel. Männases õisi kuni kuus. Männastel väikesed karvadega kaetud kandelehed. Õisikuvarre tippu moodustuvad värvilised (lillad, roosad, punakad) kõrglehed. Õiekate on kaheli, viietine, huuljas, kahehuuleline. Ülemine huul on lilla, alumine valge. Õitsemisperiood kestab üle kuu juunist augustini.

Levila
Kirju salvei kasvab looduslikult Kaukaasias ja Iraanis. Taim kasvab ka Türgis ja teistes Vahemere maades. Ta eelistab päikesepaistelisi kasvukohti kuivadel, kivistel aladel - põldudel ja kõrbealadel. [1–4] Euroopas kasvatatakse kirjut salveid ilutaimena [1, 3]

Toime ja kasutus
Taime on kasutatud türgi rahvameditsiinis igemete, silmade ja kurgu raviks, põletikuvastase ja antiseptilise vahendina. Samuti kasutati taime näiteks Iraanis külmetushaiguste ja infektsioonide puhul ning seemneid silmade puhastamiseks põletike ja valude puhul. [1, 2] Seda kasutati ka alkohoolsete jookide maitsestamisel. Lehti lisati kääritusvannidesse, et suurendada likööride tugevust ja maitset. [2, 4, 5] Kreeklased ja roomlased kasutasid taime veini maitsestamiseks. [3, 4] Tänapäeval kasutatakse kirjut salveid Euroopas, sealhulgas Eestis, peamiselt ilutaimena. [1, 3] Taimest eraldatud ühenditel on viirusevastane toime.  [1, 2] Ravimtaimena kasutatakse salveidest vaid aedsalveid. [6]

Kasutatud allikad:
1. Grzegorczyk-Karolak, I., & Kiss, A. K. (2018). Determination of the Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Properties of Salvia viridis L. Shoots: A Comparison of Aqueous and Hydroethanolic Extracts. Molecules 2018, Vol. 23, Page 1468, 23(6), 1468. https://doi.org/10.3390/MOLECULES23061468
2. Grzegorczyk-Karolak, I., Staniewska, P., Lebelt, L., & Piotrowska, D. G. (2022). Optimization of cultivation conditions of Salvia viridis L. shoots in the Plantform bioreactor to increase polyphenol production. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 149(1–2), 269–280. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-021-02168-2
3. Tucker, A. O., DeBaggio, T. (2009). The encyclopedia of herbs : a comprehensive reference to herbs of flavor and fragrance. London: Timber Press. https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Encyclopedia_of_Herbs.html?hl=ru&id=7_KPgx EglHAC (13.09.2023)
4. Salvia viridis - L. Plants For A Future.https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salvia+viridis (13.09.2023)
5. Salvia viridis. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvia_viridis (13.09.2023)
6. Raal, A. (2010). Maailma ravimtaimede entsüklopeedia. Tallinn: Eesti Entsüklopeediakirjastus.