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Glite Dictionary
California sage

California sage

8.0
A low shrub with grey, silvery leaves that grows on dry coastal hills in California
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : salvia de California
  • The hillside was covered with California sage, giving the landscape a silvery tint.

Examples

  • Hikers enjoy the scent of California sage along the coastal trails in spring.

  • The California sage grows well in dry climates.

  • Gardeners often choose California sage for its drought resistance and aromatic fragrance.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the California sage for its drought resistance.

  • Gardeners often choose California sage for its drought resistance and aromatic fragrance.

  • Hikers enjoy the scent of California sage along the coastal trails in spring.

  • The hillside was covered with California sage, giving the landscape a silvery tint.

Synonyms

sagebrush
vsCalifornia sage
  • US
8 7.7

A woody bush with grey leaves and a strong smell that grows in dry areas

is narrower and refers to a specific low ashy grey coastal shrub
Artemisia californica
vsCalifornia sage
  • Specialized
9.9

A low grey shrub from California with scented leaves

is the everyday plant name used for that same shrub
California sagebrush
vsCalifornia sage
  • US
8.7

A low grey bush that grows near the coast and smells strong when you touch its leaves

is used more generally for that shrub especially in dry coastal spots
silver sagebrush
vsCalifornia sage
  • US
9.6

A low bush with pale grey leaves that gives animals shelter and food

is more focused on coastal dry habitat than on wildlife value
silver sage
vsCalifornia sage
  • US
8.1

A low shrub with many branches and pale grey leaves that gives shelter and food to wild animals

is the same shrub type but emphasizes coastal dry locality
gray sage
vsCalifornia sage
  • US
8.3

A low, many-branched plant with silvery leaves that shelters wildlife

is the coastal ashy grey shrub while this is a broader inland western plant

Surface Forms

California sage singular
California sages plural

Morphology

California + sage

The phrase names a type of sage associated with the place 'California'; a learner who knows 'California' (a place) and 'sage' (the herb/shrub) can infer this refers to a sage plant native to California. Place-name + noun compounds are compositional and cross-linguistically common, so the meaning is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

California sage is named for how it looks and where it grows: California shows the place and sage refers to its grey leaves and herbal smell like kitchen 'sage'. So the name helps you picture a sage-like shrub from California.