Artemisia tridentata

big sagebrush

Did you know?:

Artemisia tridentata is one of the most widespread shrubs in North America. It is an important browse for wildlife, and food for birds, sometimes making up 100% of a species’ diet during winter. It also is valuable for its cover and thermal properties for many birds. The bark is used by Native Americans for ropes and baskets, as a smudge herb (burnt as incense), leaves powdered for rashes, and other medicinal uses. Sagebrush is Nevada’s state flower.

Photo Credit:

What does this species look like?

Big sagebrush is an evergreen, perennial shrub usually growing to 4 feet tall but ranging between 1.3 to15 tall. Numerous flowers occur along many stalks on the upper part of the plant. The cream-colored to yellow flowers are small and not very showy and each flower contains both male and female parts. Flowering begins when the plants mature at 2 to 3 years of age and the flowers are wind or self-pollinated.

Big sagebrush is a somewhat drought tolerant plant. It grows on a variety of soil types on arid plains, valleys, foothills, and mountains.

Why observe this species?

Big sagebrush is a USA-NPN regional plant species. Regional species are ecologically or economically important but are distributed more locally than calibration species. The NPN integrates these observations to understand better plant responses within the different geographic regions of the nation. In addition, this species is an allergen. Observations on its phenology will provide valuable information to benefit people with allergies and the public health community.

Where is this species found?

U.S. States:

AZ, CA, CO, ID, MA, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY

Which phenophases should I observe?

Leaves	Do you see...? *Breaking leaf buds* One or more breaking leaf buds are visible on the plant. A leaf bud is considered "breaking" once a green leaf tip is visible at the end of the bud, but before the first leaf from the bud has unfolded to expose the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base. How many buds are breaking? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More... *Young leaves* One or more young unfolded leaves are visible on the plant. A leaf is considered "young" and "unfolded" once the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base is visible, but before the leaf has reached full size or turned the darker green color of mature leaves on the plant. The leaf may need to be bent backwards to see whether the leaf stalk or leaf base is visible. How many young leaves are present? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10
Flowers	Do you see...? *Flowers* One or more fresh flowers or flower heads (inflorescences) are visible on the plant. Flower heads include many small flowers that usually do not open all at once. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant, or heads whose flowers have all wilted or dried. How many fresh flowers or flower heads are present? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More... *Open flowers* One or more open fresh flowers are visible on the plant. Flowers are considered "open" when the reproductive parts (male stamens or female pistils) are visible between unfolded or open flower parts. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant. How many fresh flowers are open? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 Peak flower: The plant has a large number of flowers and one half (50%) or more are open and still fresh. More... *Pollen release* One or more flowers on the plant release pollen when gently shaken or blown. How many flowers release pollen? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 Peak pollen: The plant has a large number of flowers and one half (50%) or more release pollen. More...
Fruits	Do you see...? *Fruits* One or more fresh fruits are visible on the plant. How many fresh fruits are present? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More... *Ripe fruits* One or more ripe fruits are visible on the plant. How many fruits are ripe? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More... *Recent fruit drop* One or more fresh mature fruits or seeds have dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit. Do not include obviously immature fruits that have dropped before ripening, such as in a heavy rain or wind. How many mature fruits have dropped? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More...

Leaves

Do you see...?

Breaking leaf buds
One or more breaking leaf buds are visible on the plant. A leaf bud is considered "breaking" once a green leaf tip is visible at the end of the bud, but before the first leaf from the bud has unfolded to expose the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base.

How many buds are breaking?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

Young leaves
One or more young unfolded leaves are visible on the plant. A leaf is considered "young" and "unfolded" once the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base is visible, but before the leaf has reached full size or turned the darker green color of mature leaves on the plant. The leaf may need to be bent backwards to see whether the leaf stalk or leaf base is visible.

How many young leaves are present?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

Flowers

Do you see...?

Flowers
One or more fresh flowers or flower heads (inflorescences) are visible on the plant. Flower heads include many small flowers that usually do not open all at once. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant, or heads whose flowers have all wilted or dried.

How many fresh flowers or flower heads are present?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

Open flowers
One or more open fresh flowers are visible on the plant. Flowers are considered "open" when the reproductive parts (male stamens or female pistils) are visible between unfolded or open flower parts. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant.

How many fresh flowers are open?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

Peak flower: The plant has a large number of flowers and one half (50%) or more are open and still fresh.

More...

Pollen release
One or more flowers on the plant release pollen when gently shaken or blown.

How many flowers release pollen?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

Peak pollen: The plant has a large number of flowers and one half (50%) or more release pollen.

More...

Fruits

Do you see...?

Fruits
One or more fresh fruits are visible on the plant.

How many fresh fruits are present?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

Ripe fruits
One or more ripe fruits are visible on the plant.

How many fruits are ripe?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

Recent fruit drop
One or more fresh mature fruits or seeds have dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit. Do not include obviously immature fruits that have dropped before ripening, such as in a heavy rain or wind.

How many mature fruits have dropped?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

For more information

USDA PLANTS profile for big sagebrush (USDA Symbol: ARTR2)
ITIS information for big sagebrush (ITIS TSN: 35498)

Acknowledgments

Observe Plants & Animals