Species › Plants › Big Sagebrush

Big Sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata

CommonPlant
Illustration of Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)

Big Sagebrush is the dominant shrub of the Great Basin, covering vast swaths of the Intermountain West with its silver-gray foliage and iconic fragrance. It is a keystone species supporting more than 350 wildlife species including pronghorn, sage-grouse, and pygmy rabbit. The three-toothed leaves are aromatic with silvery hairs that reduce water loss.

Habitat
Great Basin shrub-steppe, arid plains, and mountain foothills
Diet
Critical winter browse for pronghorn and mule deer; sage-grouse eats leaves year-round
How common
Common

Best time to see a Big Sagebrush

The best time to see a Big Sagebrush is March–August, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 17,035 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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Recent Big Sagebrush sightings near you

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