Evergreen shrub with gray-green leaves commonly 3-7 ft. tall, is the tallest of the big sagebrush subspecies and may reach up to 13 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.

DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION

INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES

Family: Asteraceae

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Shrub

Native Status: Native

Growth Form: Multiple stem

Mature Height: 2-15 ft.

Bloom Color: Green

Fruit/Seed Color: White

Bloom Period: Late Summer

Annual Precipitation: 6-35 in.

Drought Tolerance: High

Shade Tolerance: Low

Elevation: up to 7,000 ft.

Wetland Indicator Status:

Fire Resistance: No

Fire Tolerance: Low

Nitrogen fixation: None

SOIL ADAPTATION

Coarse Texture: Yes

Medium Texture: Yes

Fine Texture: Yes

Salinity Tolerance: Low

CaCO3 Tolerance: High

pH Range: 6.5-8.5

SEEDING NOTES

Seeds per Pound: 2,358,000

Seeding Rate:  PLS lbs/acre

Season: Fall/Winter

Days to Germination: