Desert Sage is a low, silvery-leaved shrub of the Great Basin desert with intensely aromatic foliage and vivid blue-purple flowers in spring. It is one of the most fragrant plants in the western desert. Hummingbirds and native bees visit the showy flowers, and the plant is browsed by mule deer when other forage is scarce.
Best time to see a Desert Sage
The best time to see a Desert Sage is March–May, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,462 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Desert Sage? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Desert Sage sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Desert Sage?
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