Arizona Wild Flowers
Wildflower Pictures And Photos

Big Sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata

Big Sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata

Big Sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata	Big Sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata
Big Sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata	Big Sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata

Big Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata, Aster or Sunflower Family also known as the Composite Family: ( Compositae ), Big Sagebrush; sometimes called Sagebrush, Common Sagebrush, Blue Sagebrush, or Black Sagebrush. An evergreen shrub growing to 15 feet. It is hardy to zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in October, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. Height: Usually 1 to 3 feet tall. Can grow to 15 feet. Flowers: Monoecious. Very small, yellowish, and tubular; borne in small heads on long, upright spikes; some flowers perfect and some imperfect. Blooming Time: October to November. Leaves: Simple, alternate (but typically clustered at each node), persistent (but some leaves are drought deciduous). Small (1/2 to 2 inches long) and narrowly wedge-shaped with a 3-lobed apex; silvery-green and pubescent on both surfaces; strong scented; sessile. Bark: Grayish brown, shreddy, and splitting lengthwise. Found: Arizona. Elevation: 3500 - 8000 Feet. Habitat: Sandy desert soils. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken March 6, 2007. Arizona Strip.