Botanical Name - Salvia hispanica Category - Super Food Form - Dry Part Used - Seed General Information - Salvia hispanica L. is mainly grown for its seeds and produces white and purple flowers. Chia seeds are generally very small, oval-shaped, 2 mm long, 1 to 1.5 mm wide, and less than 1 mm thick. The color of the seed varies from black, grey, or black spotted to white. Salvia hispanica L. was used beside corn, bean, and amaranth by ancient Mesoamerican cultures.