Salvia fruticosa was depicted in a Minoan fresco circa 1400 BCE at Knossos on the island of Crete.[3] The ancient Phoenicians and Greeks likely introduced the plant for cultivation to the Iberian peninsula, with remnant populations of these introduced plants still found in some coastal areas.[6] Greek sage accounts for 50–95% of the dried sage sold in North America,[7][8] and is grown commercially for its essential oil.[9] It also has a long tradition of use in various Muslim rituals—for newborn children, at weddings, in funerals, and burnt as incense.[10] A cross between S. fruticosa and Salvia officinalis developed in the middle east is called "silver leaf sage" or Salvia" Newe Ya'ar'", and is used in cooking.[11][12]