Clary ~Salvia sclarea~ flower spike

Farmed for essential oil called muscatel oil or sage clary used to flavour vermouth and liqueurs as well as in perfume and soaps. Biennial plant with attractive flowers and pungent scent. It is cut and left to dry for a few days before shredding and transporting to an essential oil steam distillery. Essential oils produced by hairs called Glandular trichomes are plant structures that inhibit or entrap arthropods, protecting plants against herbivores.