Artemisia bigelovii is a North American species of sagebrush known by the common name Bigelow sagebrush or flat sagebrush.Calflora taxon report, University of California, Artemisia bigelovii A. Gray Bigelow sagebrush, Flat sagebrush It grows in the deserts of the southwestern United States.
Distribution It is native to California (Inyo + San Bernardino Counties), Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map It grows in desert, basin, grassland, and juniper woodland habitats. It is very drought-tolerant and lives in arid regions on sandy and limestone-rich soils.Forest Service Fire Ecology
Description Artemisia bigelovii is a shrub growing from a woody base and reaching a maximum height around 50 cm (20 inches). It has many slender, curving branches with shredding bark and is generally in overall habit.
The stem branches and leaves are coated in silvery hairs, giving the plant a gray color. The leaves are less than 3 centimeters long and may end in a point or in three distinct teeth.Flora of North America Vol. 19, 20 and 21 Page 512 Bigelow sagebrush Artemisia bigelovii A. Gray in War Department [U.S.], Pacif. Railr. Rep. 4(5): 110. 1857.
The inflorescence is a panicle of flower heads containing yellowish disc florets and occasionally a small ray floret. The fruit is a tiny achene about a millimeter long.
Uses This species of sagebrush is good winter fodder for grazing animals and it is cultivated as plant cover on recovering rangeland and for erosion control.
References
External links Jepson Manual Treatment
Southwest Colorado Wildflowers SEINet Arizona Chapter, Artemisia bigelovii A. Gray United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Arches National Park, Bigelow's Sagebrush (Bigelow's Sage; Big Basin Sagebrush)