Artemisia cana
Silver Sagebrush (Native)

Artemisia cana
Silver Sagebrush (Native)

Artemisia cana,
Silver Sagebrush (Native)

Small to medium, 2 – 4 ft. tall, evergreen, sometimes rhizomatous, shrub distributed throughout much of the western US except along the west coast and southwest deserts. Adapted to all soil textures except dense clays. Generally prefers moister sites, near streams, meadows and at higher mountain elevations, but some ecotypes grow on much drier sites. Weak acid, and salt and moderately alkali tolerant. Tolerant of poor drainage, high water tables and flooding. Winter-hardy. Low to fair livestock palatability.  Good deer, elk and antelope palatability. Important food and cover for sage grouse. Used for wildlife habitat improvement, roadside stabilization, native landscaping and disturbed land restoration.  Minimum precip. is 9 – 12 inches dry-ecotypes, 14 – 16 inches moist-ecotypes. Plant in fall on top of rough surface to 1/8 inch deep. 850,000 seeds/lb.

USDA: Plant Profile