Basin big sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata

Evergreen shrub with gray-green leaves commonly 3-7 ft. tall, is the tallest of the big sagebrush subspecies and may reach up to13 ft. tall; flowering August to October. Prefers deep, fertile, well-drained soils from valley bottoms and plains, to the foothills and upper timberline; up to 7,000 ft. elevation. Occurs on slightly more mesic sites than the other subspecies, often indicating a high water table or deep soil moisture. Intolerant of wildfire; does not resprout. Least palatable browse of all the subspecies though heavily used during winter months by various types of ungulates and other wildlife. Eaten by sage-grouse when the other more preferred subspecies are absent. Provides valuable cover for wildlife, including sage-grouse and pygmy rabbits. Caterpillar host of the Hera buckmoth.