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EXPLORE > PLANTS > ANGIOSPERMS
Often known as Great Basin sagebrush, this plant is ubiquitous in the arid regions of the western United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast. It is arguably one of the most important shrubs in these rangelands, its evergreen leaves and abundant seeds providing a reliable, year-round food source for a variety of birds and mammals including mule deer and pronghorn antelope. As a thick canopy, it also provides habitat and shelter for herbaceous plants that grow beneath it and for smaller animals like rabbits, lizards and snakes.
Big sagebrush has wedge or bell-shaped leaves which are green-gray or blue-gray in color. The leaves grow in a spiral formation and produce a pungent aroma, especially after the rain. Plant sizes can vary dramatically depending on the subspecies, being as short as 2 feet (0.6 meters) and as large as 13 feet (4 m). It can grow alongside many different plants, including cactus and rabbitbrush at lower elevations; piñon pine, juniper, mountain shrub, aspen, Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine at higher elevations.
Range and Habitat
This plant has a vast range covering most of the western United States and Canada. It prefers arid regions and a variety of elevations, from valley floors to mountain foothills. Its adapability means it can thrive even with variable precipitation and soil chemistry.
Conservation Status
Common.
Often known as Great Basin sagebrush, this plant is ubiquitous in the arid regions of the western United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast. It is arguably one of the most important shrubs in these rangelands, its evergreen leaves and abundant seeds providing a reliable, year-round food source for a variety of birds and mammals including mule deer and pronghorn antelope. As a thick canopy, it also provides habitat and shelter for herbaceous plants that grow beneath it and for smaller animals like rabbits, lizards and snakes.
Big sagebrush has wedge or bell-shaped leaves which are green-gray or blue-gray in color. The leaves grow in a spiral formation and produce a pungent aroma, especially after the rain. Plant sizes can vary dramatically depending on the subspecies, being as short as 2 feet (0.6 meters) and as large as 13 feet (4 m). It can grow alongside many different plants, including cactus and rabbitbrush at lower elevations; piñon pine, juniper, mountain shrub, aspen, Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine at higher elevations.
Range and Habitat
This plant has a vast range covering most of the western United States and Canada. It prefers arid regions and a variety of elevations, from valley floors to mountain foothills. Its adapability means it can thrive even with variable precipitation and soil chemistry.
Conservation Status
Common.
