Salvia cynica is a perennial plant that is native to Sichuan province in China, growing in forests and streamsides at 1,500 to 3,200 m (4,900 to 10,500 ft) elevation. The leaves are broadly ovate to broadly hastate-ovate or subcircular, ranging in size from 5 to 20 cm (2.0 to 7.9 in) long and 3 to 18 cm (1.2 to 7.1 in) wide.