Sagebrush
(Artemisia Tridentata)
a.k.a. Big Sagebrush

'Tridentata' arises from the fact that Sagebrush leaves have a three pronged or 'trident' notches on the end.

An aromatic evergreen shrub, Sagebrush can grow to 2 metres in height. Wwhile the younger twigs have a hairy covering the older branches loose their bark. Sagebrush has a gnarled appearance

LEAVES:

- thin with a triple notch at the end

- up to 3 cm. in length

- wedge shaped

- covered with greyish hairs on both upper and underside

- often last right through the winter

FLOWERS:

- very small, drab yellow

- 3-5 disk flowers make up a head

- loosely grouped along the branches

- bloom September to mid October

FRUIT:

- hair covered seeds

HABITAT:

- Sagebrush grows at low to mid elevations.

- Sagebrush can be found in dry interior areas; paticularly in the Kamloops, Ashcroft and Okanagan areas.

- Sagebrush cannot live in alkaline soil.

- Sagebrush is predominant in overgrazed or poor soils.

FASCINATING FACTS:

- the plant has multiplied dramatically, largely because of overgrazing

- when burned the smoke from the leaves helps keep away insects.