Artemisia arbuscula subsp. longiloba
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Artemisia arbuscula subsp. longiloba is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Little sagebrush is a California native shrub found in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains on igneous rock sites at elevations of 2,200 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces small, subtle flowers in compact clusters with green to yellowish involucres approximately 2 to 3 millimeters wide. Growing as a compact woody shrub reaching 30 to 60 centimeters tall with multiple branching stems, it develops a dense, rounded form. Its leaves on flowering stems are distinctively divided into three deep lobes, creating a finely textured and intricate foliage structure. The shrub's compact growth and deeply divided leaves make it well-adapted to its high-elevation rocky habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Igneous rock
Elevation: 2200-2500 m
Bloom period
Artemisia arbuscula subsp. longiloba blooms Jun-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Salvia: Artemisia has tiny clustered flower heads in the sunflower family; Salvia has two-lipped tubular flowers in the mint family with square stems.; vs Ambrosia: Artemisia has fused anthers and typically silvery foliage; Ambrosia has free anthers and often deeply lobed green leaves.; vs Ericameria: Artemisia is aromatic with inconspicuous greenish heads lacking rays; Ericameria has bright yellow daisy-like heads with showy ray petals.; vs Pseudognaphalium: Artemisia has no seed bristles and woody stems; Pseudognaphalium has fluffy white pappus bristles and soft herbaceous stems.; vs Eschscholzia: Artemisia has tiny greenish clustered flower heads; Eschscholzia has large showy orange or yellow poppy flowers with 4 petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Artemisia arbuscula subsp. longiloba native to California?
Yes. Artemisia arbuscula subsp. longiloba is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Artemisia arbuscula subsp. longiloba bloom?
Artemisia arbuscula subsp. longiloba blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Artemisia arbuscula subsp. longiloba belong to?
Artemisia arbuscula subsp. longiloba is in the Asteraceae family, genus Artemisia.
What habitat does Artemisia arbuscula subsp. longiloba grow in?
Artemisia arbuscula subsp. longiloba grows in Uncommon. Igneous rock.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.