Small flat-topped shrub up to 2 ft. tall with dark green evergreen leaves, flowering May to October. Most common on shallow, dry, infertile and coarse soils; 4,000 to 9,000 ft. elevation. Slightly salt tolerant; intolerant of moist sites. Often indicative of a root-restricting carbonate layer within 2 ft. of the soil surface. More drought tolerant than most other sagebrush species. Forms open, solid stands with very little other vegetation from valley bottoms to mountain slopes. Also occurs with Shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia), Winterfat (Krascheninikovia lanata) or as a minor component in big sagebrush (A. tridentata), pinyon-juniper and mountain brush communities. Resembles and often grows with Low sagebrush (A. arbuscula). Intolerant of fire and disturbance. Preferred year-round forage for deer and antelope. Favored by sage-grouse.

DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION

INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES

Family: Asteraceae

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Shrub/subshrub

Native Status: Native

Growth Form: Multiple stem

Mature Height: 12 in.

Bloom Color: 

Fruit/Seed Color: Brown

Bloom Period: Late Summer

Annual Precipitation: 6-20 in.

Drought Tolerance: High

Shade Tolerance: Intolerant

Elevation: 4,000-8,000 ft.

Wetland Indicator Status:

Fire Resistance: No

Fire Tolerance: Low

Nitrogen fixation: None

SOIL ADAPTATION

Coarse Texture: Yes

Medium Texture: Yes

Fine Texture: No

Salinity Tolerance: Medium

CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium

pH Range: 7.0-8.5

SEEDING NOTES

Seeds per Pound: 952,700

Seeding Rate:  PLS lbs/acre

Season: Fall

Days to Germination: