This article reports an addition to the flora of the Republic of Moldova — Salvia revelata, Pontic sage, a recently described Pontic steppe subendemic species, which previously has been confused with the similar vicariant S. austriaca, Austrian sage. The fieldwork during the flowering seasons of 2023–2025 has revealed 12 locations where the species occurs in the Republic of Moldova. Locally, the flowering individuals have been recorded from the first third of May until the second ­decade of June, but regional data from neighboring countries demonstrate that multiannual weather variability within the current climate change conditions can expand this timespan. The typical habitats of this species are rich steppe areas, but several individuals have also been found in natural or artificial clearings of thermophilous downy oak forests. During the study, main threats for conservation of S. revelata were identified, especially large-scale agriculture, overgrazing, pasture abandonment, invasive shrubs, and population isolation by habitat fragmentation. Also, several direct actions, such as halting afforestation (particularly with allochthonous species), rehabilitating grasslands, and promoting sustainable grazing, have been recommended to protect Pontic sage and other steppe subendemics within the Republic of Moldova.

Keywords: distribution, new species, phenology, Salvia revelata, steppe vegetation, threats

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