Sand Sagebrush
- Scientific name: Artemesia filifolia
- Provides hiding and nesting
- Excellent thermal cover for small birds and mammals
- Occurs natively in sandy, light, well drained soils
- Extremely effective in preventing wind erosion
- Flowers August to September
Sand Sagebrush (Artemesia filifolia) is a pleasantly aromatic shrub with threadlike silvery leaves. A distinctive species commonly found on sandy sites or even dunes in association with Indian Ricegrass, Sand Dropseed, Needle & Thread, Galleta Grass, and other high desert, sand tolerant species. It is a perennial, native warm season shrub growing up to 4 feet tall. It flowers August to September, and reproduces from seeds.
Sand sagebrush (Artemesia filifolia) is found on dunes, sand hills, and in deep sand. It is generally considered an indicator of sandy soil, and is usually abundant in those areas. It is found mostly in southern Utah at elevations between 3,000 and 5,000 feet.
The importance of sand sagebrush to livestock and wildlife depends on the vegetative composition of a particular site. It is rarely used in grasslands where more preferred forage species are available but may be used heavily in arid desert regions where other forage is scarce or unavailable. Sand sagebrush is heavily browsed on some low elevation cold desert ranges, and furnishes forage for pronghorn and deer. It is considered a locally good forage plant for wildlife and domestic livestock in parts of southern Utah, but is otherwise considered poor to worthless as forage for cattle, and poor to fair for horses and sheep. It may cause sage sickness in horses.
Sand sagebrush provides hiding or thermal cover for numerous smaller birds and mammals.
It is extremely effective in preventing wind erosion on light, sandy soils. A canopy of sand sagebrush can afford some protection to grasses such as needle-and-thread on heavily grazed sites.
GUIDE FOR SAGEBRUSH
(Artemesia nova)
Pocket Guide to Sagebrush
Pocket Guide to Sagebrush
PDF version of Point Blue Conservation Science
Prepared By: Leila Shultz, Utah State University
Illustrations By: Linda Ann Vorobik
Design & Layout By: Scott Gillihan
Helpful Links
Additional information about this product can be found on the academic websites linked below.
Synonyms
Many plants have more than one common and scientific name. We've listed a few of them below.
- Sand Sagebrush
- Artemisia filifolia Torr.
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Right: Company founder Lloyd and his wife Paula Stevens in a wildflower seed production field circa 1977
Quick Plant Facts
| Common Name: | Old Man Sagebrush, Sand Sage, Sand Sagebrush, Sandhill Sage, Threadleaf Sagebrush |
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| Seed Count | 2000000 |
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| Root Form | Rhizomatous |
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| Min. Precipitation | 6 Inches Minimum |
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| Sun & Shade Tolerance: | Full Sun |
| Zone Map | comingsoon.gif |
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