Salvia scapiformis is an herb that is native to several provinces in China, along with Taiwan and the Philippines, growing at elevation. S. scapiformis grows on slender stems to tall, with mostly simple leaves that are basal or subbasal, rarely growing on the stem. Inflorescences are widely spaced 6âÂÂ10-flowered verticillasters in terminal racemes or panicles that are long. The corolla is purple or white, approximately .
There are three named varieties, with slight variations in leaves, verticillasters, and calyx: