Silver sagebrush

Artemisia cana

Short to tall shrub from 1-5 ft. depending on the geographically distinct subspecies, with silver-gray or yellow-green to gray deciduous leaves, flowering June to October. Occurs on a wide range of soil textures, preferring moister, colder soils than other sagebrush species; 2,000 to 11,000 ft. elevation. Intolerant of strongly saline and calcareous soils. Found in riparian areas, bottomlands, mountain meadows, disturbed steppe and pine and aspen woodlands. Tolerant of high water tables and periodic flooding, often found in wet-to-upland transitional habitats. Less susceptible to fire mortality than other sagebrush species. Rhizomatous, readily sprouting after fire and other disturbances. Valuable forage for deer, bison, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep and sage-grouse.