Typically, chia seeds are small flattened ovals measuring on average , with an average weight of per seed. They are mottle-colored with brown, gray, black, and white. The seeds are hydrophilic, absorbing up to 12 times their weight in liquid when soaked; they develop a mucilaginous coating that gives them a gel texture. Chia (or chian or chien) has mostly been identified as "Salvia hispanica" L. Other plants referred to as "chia" include "golden chia" ("Salvia columbariae"). The seeds of "Salvia columbariae" are used for food.