Salvia flava is a herbaceous perennial shrub native to Yunnan province in China, growing in large numbers at 7,500-13,000 ft elevation. It grows on hillsides and along streambanks in gravelly soil with maples, willows, viburnum, berberis, and clematis. It grows over 2 ft tall with rich grassy green leaves that are about 3 in long with a puckered surface and pointed tip. In summer the flower stalk grows to 2 ft long, with yellow to yellow-brown flowers with a purple spot on the lower lip. The tubular shaped flowers are in whorls of four to eight, widely spaced, with long soft hairs.