Lepidaploa canescens (Salvia Blanca)

Native from Mexico through tropical South America and Trinidad, this plant grows as a subshrub, scrambling shrub, or woody climber. It occurs across a broad range of habitats, including forests, shrublands, wetlands, and disturbed ground. In Colombia, it grows between about 230 and 9,185 feet. Small flower heads form branching clusters, and the species is recorded in secondary woodland and abandoned cultivated areas. Other local names include maruchonga, vara santa, and tabaquillo. Photographed in Colombia.