Wild Sage or Lyre-leaved Sage
Salvia lyrata

Lyre-leaved sage is another member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). In full bloom, the height of the plant is 1-2 feet. The stalk of flowers arises from a basal rosette of deeply (pinnately) lobed leaves. The tube-shaped flowers are blue to purple and about an inch long. The flowers grow in whorls around the square, hairy stem.

This plant has been used medicinally as a tea and a salve. Other common names include cancer root and cancerweed.

The photos below include a field of lyre-leaved sage blooming in May at Falls Ridge Preserve–it was just beautiful–even though some would conclude “this plant can be invasive“!  Bloom time is April to June.