Big Sagebrush
Artemisia tridentata
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Stan Shebs
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Artemisia
- Species:
- Artemisia tridentata
- USDA Symbol:
- ARTR2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, deer, pronghorn, sage grouse
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire. However, frequent fires can reduce sagebrush dominance and favor grasses. Fire return intervals historically 35-100+ years.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow or barely cover. Germination can be erratic and improved with cold stratification.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold stratification or undergo a 5-month outdoor winter stratification. Some seeds may require soaking/leaching of germination inhibitors. No stratification required for some seeds.
Establishment: There are differences in temperature requirements for optimum germination among different subspecies and ecotypes of this species. Seed germination is reported to be higher when seed is collected late in the season, germinated under fluctuating temperatures, and when seeds are surface sown. Some populations have seed dormancy while others are reported to be non-dormant. Testing of individual lots will determine the need or duration of pre-chilling for optimum germination. Seeds are collected in October when they turn brown and are easily pulled from the receptacles. Seeds must be collected as soon as they ripen fully; too early or too late collection often results in the collection of non-viable or aborted seeds.
Source: npn.rngr.net