Chinese scientists have sequenced the tropical sage genome, which will help
with breeding and growing other sage plants, most valued for their aroma and
appearance.

Xin Haibo, senior engineer with the Beijing Institute of Gardening Science
and a member of the research team, said establishing the plant's genetic
mechanism is valuable for breeding and editing the genomes of other
coordinal plants.

Tropical sage is used in public gardens all over the world. The Beijing
institute has developed over 10 varieties of tropical sage. Xin said that
through genetic technology, they can control the colors and timing of
blossoming, and extract essential sage oil and other aromatic and medicinal
components from tropical sage.

[english.cas.cn]